appointment

appointment — noun

1. a fixed time you have agreed to see someone, such as a doctor, dentist, hairdres

1.名詞A2
釋義

a fixed time you have agreed to see someone, such as a doctor, dentist, hairdresser, or business contact, usually for a short visit.

例句

Wren booked an appointment with the dentist for next Tuesday morning.

appointment with + person; book an appointment

Sorry, I cannot meet you at three because I have an appointment.

have an appointment

同義詞
  • meeting

    more general; can be casual or unscheduled, while an appointment is fixed in advance

  • booking

    often used for restaurants, hotels, or tickets rather than person-to-person visits

文法句型

appointment with + person

appointment + to-infinitive

用法筆記

Subject is usually a person who books the slot, and the place is often a clinic, salon, or office. Use 'with' before the person you are meeting and 'at' before the place or time.

常見錯誤

I have appointment tomorrow.
I have an appointment tomorrow.
💡countable noun, needs an article.
I made an appointment to the dentist.
I made an appointment with the dentist.
💡use 'with' before the person, not 'to'.

2. the phrase 'by appointment' tells customers that they must arrange a time in adv

2.名詞B1
釋義

the phrase 'by appointment' tells customers that they must arrange a time in advance instead of just walking in.

例句

The small art gallery in Tainan welcomes visitors by appointment only.

fixed phrase: by appointment only

Dr. Patel sees new patients by appointment, never as walk-ins.

by appointment vs. walk-ins

同義詞
  • by reservation

    more common for restaurants and tables; 'by appointment' fits services and professional visits

反義詞
  • walk-in

    describes service without a prior booking

文法句型

by appointment (only)

用法筆記

Almost always used in the fixed phrase 'by appointment' or 'by appointment only', usually on signs, business cards, or websites. Distinguish from sense 1: this phrase is adverbial and describes how a service is offered, not a single booked meeting.

常見錯誤

The clinic opens at appointment.
The clinic opens by appointment.
💡the fixed preposition is 'by'.

3. the act of formally placing someone into an important post — such as a judge, am

3.名詞C1
釋義

the act of formally placing someone into an important post — such as a judge, ambassador, or company director — or the senior post itself once it has been filled.

例句

The board announced the appointment of Rashida Lin as the new chief executive.

appointment of + person

Sofia Reyes's appointment as ambassador to Japan surprised many older diplomats.

appointment as + role

同義詞
  • nomination

    the act of suggesting someone for a role; an appointment is the final, confirmed choice

  • designation

    very formal, often used in legal or governmental texts

  • post

    refers only to the job, not the act of choosing

反義詞

文法句型

appointment of + person

appointment as + role

appointment to + position

用法筆記

Frequently appears in news, official statements, and contracts. Used both for the action (the appointment of X) and the post itself (held an appointment for ten years). Distinguish from sense 1: here the word is about being chosen for a job, not about a booked time.

常見錯誤

The president made his appointment to the court last week.
The president made his appointments to the court last week.
💡when several people are named, use the plural.
She got an appointment as the new manager from her uncle.
She got the job as new manager from her uncle.
💡'appointment' usually implies a formal, official process, not personal favours.

4. a formal phrase printed on British products which shows that the company has off

4.名詞C2
釋義

a formal phrase printed on British products which shows that the company has official permission to supply that item to a king, queen, or other senior royal.

例句

The biscuit tin proudly carries the words 'By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen.'

fixed phrase used as a royal warrant label

Fortnum and Mason has held a royal appointment for tea since the nineteenth century.

hold a royal appointment

同義詞
  • royal warrant

    the technical name for the document that gives the right to print 'by appointment'

文法句型

by appointment to + royal person

用法筆記

Almost only seen on British packaging, signs, and company stationery, often capitalised as 'By Appointment'. Distinguish from sense 2 ('by appointment' meaning by booking): this sense is specifically about the British royal warrant system.

常見錯誤

Our café is by appointment to the King because the King ate here once.
Our café is popular with the King because he once ate here.
💡a royal appointment is granted only after a long, official supply relationship.

5. (usually plural) the furniture, decorations, and fittings of a place such as a s

5.名詞C2
釋義

(usually plural) the furniture, decorations, and fittings of a place such as a ship, hotel, or grand house, especially when you want to praise how stylish or expensive they are.

例句

Guests admired the polished wood and brass appointments of the old steamship.

plural form: the appointments of + place

The hotel suite had luxurious appointments, from velvet curtains to marble taps.

luxurious / fine appointments

同義詞
  • furnishings

    more everyday and more common; works for any home

  • fittings

    more practical, often about built-in items like taps and shelves

文法句型

the appointments of + place

fitted with [adjective] appointments

用法筆記

Almost always plural and almost always followed by an admiring adjective such as 'fine', 'elegant', or 'luxurious'. Distinguish from sense 1 (a booked time) and sense 3 (a formal job): here it refers to physical furnishings, not to people or meetings.

常見錯誤

My bedroom has a new appointment, a small lamp.
My bedroom has a new piece of furniture, a small lamp.
💡for ordinary household items, use 'furniture' or 'fittings'; 'appointments' suggests an expensive, complete set.