Word
designate
Meanings
to officially choose or appoint someone for a particular role or position
to officially name or identify something as having a specific status, category, or purpose
to indicate or specify something clearly, especially in a plan, rule, or description
Definition
To designate something is to officially choose or name it for a particular purpose or role.
To designate means to formally identify, name, or choose someone or something for a specific job, position, area, or function. It often implies an official decision or clear authority. In writing, it is common in rules, plans, and institutional contexts where roles and categories need to be defined.
Examples
- The committee will designate Dr. Patel as chair for the next term after the final vote.
- In the emergency plan, the building manager designates one stairwell as the primary evacuation route.
- The museum designated the restored gallery as a quiet space for reflection during peak hours.
- After reviewing the evidence, she designated the second proposal as the strongest option overall.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse designate with design and incorrectly say "designate a poster" when they mean "design" or "design" something.
More at C1 level
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- xenophobia Xenophobia is a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries or cultures.
- genocide Genocide is the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular group in order to …
- conundrum A conundrum is a confusing and difficult problem to solve.
- pretentious Trying to seem more important, intelligent, or cultured than you really are.
More verbs
- analyze To examine something carefully in order to understand it or explain it.
- scrutinize To scrutinize something is to examine it very carefully and in detail.
- affect To affect something is to influence it or cause it to change.
- allude To allude means to mention or suggest something indirectly without saying it clearly.
- elude To elude someone or something is to avoid being caught, understood, or remembered.