appropriation

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'appropriation' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of taking something for one's own use without permission, or the act of setting something aside for a particular purpose. For example: "The government made an appropriation for a new school in the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Michael Irwin's The Skull and the Nightingale (HarperCollins) is a bold and witty appropriation of the conventions, style, and idiom of the 18th-century epistolary novel that brilliantly recreates the manners, modes of thought and conduct of the teeming world of London.

The Guardian - Books

My approach to feminism is encapsulated by this appropriation of John Stuart Mill: Over herself, the individual is sovereign.

The Guardian - Opinion

Critics have accused her of cultural appropriation – or simply making a fool of herself – but the singer claimed people are "overthinking" a sequence into which she put little thought.

The Guardian - Music

"It would be a complete desecration of the entire artistic ethos of the undercroft, of the appropriation and reinterpretation of space.

The Guardian

Certain racial aspects of her latest incarnation, such as using black female dancers as anonymous on-stage props, go beyond pop's usual magpie approach to appropriation into uncomfortable territory.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, it's fair to say that the recent saturation of twerking in our collective consciousness is largely Cyrus' fault (of which much has been written, including a number of excellent analyses of the cultural appropriation involved in her new identity).

The Guardian - Opinion

This amounts to a "blatant appropriation of property," according to Derk Sauer, a Dutch investor who founded Vedomosti in 1999.

The Economist

"We will never again allow the appropriation of any part of Georgia by bandits, narcotics dealers and local feudal lords".

The Economist

Though Hizbullah takes credit for throwing Israel out of Lebanon, the repercussions of Israeli occupation still continue, he argues, in the refugees, the infringement of airspace, the appropriation of water resources, the retention of detainees and an Israeli presence in the sliver of land known as the Shebaa Farms.

The Economist

Sonatrach blamed the Spanish for delays and cost overruns, described as an "industrial fiasco"; the Spanish firms called it an illegitimate appropriation by the state.

The Economist

Who owns the farmland, and what rights do peasants have if it is requisitioned Tens of thousands of disputes arise in China every year over the appropriation of farmland, many of them violent.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing cultural contexts, clarify whether the "appropriation" is being used neutrally (as in adoption or influence) or negatively (as in disrespectful or exploitative borrowing).

Common error

Avoid using "appropriation" when you actually mean "appreciation", especially in cultural contexts. "Appreciation" implies respect and understanding, while "appropriation" can suggest taking without permission or understanding.

Linguistic Context

The noun "appropriation" primarily functions to denote the act of taking something for one's own use, typically without permission or right. It can also refer to the act of setting aside funds for a specific purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

29%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "appropriation" is a noun with multiple meanings, most commonly referring to the act of taking something for one's own use, often without permission, or the allocation of funds for a specific purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Its usage spans various contexts, including news, business, and academia, with a neutral to formal register. When writing about "appropriation", be mindful of potential confusion with "appreciation", especially in cultural contexts. Related phrases include "allocation of funds" and "seizure of property". Always make sure that the correct meaning is conveyed with respect to context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misappropriation of resources

Focuses on the improper or dishonest use of resources.

allocation of funds

Focuses specifically on the distribution of financial resources for a particular purpose.

seizure of property

Highlights the act of taking possession of something, often by force or legal authority.

cultural adoption

Emphasizes the process of incorporating elements from another culture.

redistribution of resources

Focuses on the reallocation of resources, often to achieve greater equity.

confiscation of assets

Implies the taking of assets, typically by a government or legal authority.

assumption of rights

Highlights the act of taking on or claiming rights that may or may not be rightfully owned.

embezzlement of funds

Refers to the fraudulent taking of money or property entrusted to one's care.

theft of intellectual property

Highlights the act of stealing someone's ideas, inventions, or creative expressions.

annexation of territory

Implies the forceful or unlawful acquisition of land.

FAQs

How is "appropriation" used in the context of art?

In art, "appropriation" refers to the use of pre-existing objects or images with little or no transformation applied to them. It raises questions about originality, authorship, and the role of the artist.

What's the difference between cultural "appropriation" and cultural exchange?

Cultural "appropriation" often involves the dominant culture taking elements from a minority culture without understanding or respecting their original context. Cultural exchange, on the other hand, is a reciprocal sharing of ideas and traditions between cultures with mutual respect and understanding.

What are some examples of cultural "appropriation"?

Examples of cultural "appropriation" can include wearing traditional clothing from another culture as a costume, using sacred symbols from another culture in fashion or design without understanding their meaning, or adopting musical styles or dance moves from another culture without giving proper credit or compensation.

What can I say instead of cultural "appropriation" to sound more neutral?

To sound more neutral, you can use phrases like "cultural exchange", "cultural influence", or "cross-cultural borrowing" depending on the context. However, it's important to acknowledge the power dynamics involved and avoid minimizing the potential harm of cultural "appropriation".