Designate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb adjective /ˈde-zig-ˌnāt/ des·ig·nate

Meaning & Definition of Designate

Designate (verb)

  1. to indicate and set apart for a specific purpose, office, or duty
  2. to point out the location of
  3. to distinguish as to class

Designate (adjective)

  1. chosen but not yet installed

Designate (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to decide upon (the time or date for an event) usually from a position of authority

    "the designated time for the meeting"

    similar: appoint, fix, name, set
    related: adopt, assign, choose, determine, establish, opt (for), pick, pin (down), prefer, select, settle, single (out), specify, arrange, coordinate, orchestrate, advertise, announce, declare, publish

  2. to pick (someone) by one's authority for a specific position or duty

    "he has yet to designate his successor as head of the firm"

    similar: appoint, assign, attach, commission, constitute, detail, name, nominate, place
    related: authorize, delegate, depute, deputize, anoint, consecrate, create, inaugurate, induct, install, instate, institute, invest, make, ordain, crown, enthrone, throne, choose, destine, draft, elect, handpick, select, single (out), vote (in)
    opposite: discharge, dismiss, expel, fire
    near: blackball, depose, dethrone, displace, eject, evict, oust, overthrow, remove, throw out, uncrown, unmake, unseat

  3. to give a name to

    "he was designated Air Jordan by his fans"

    similar: baptize, call, christen, clepe (archaic), denominate, dub, entitle, label, name, nominate, style, term, title
    related: brand, stigmatize, tag, denote, specify, miscall, misname, mistitle, code-name, nickname, rechristen, relabel, rename, surname

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Designate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Designate:

Archaic: clepe
appoint, fix, name, set, assign, attach, commission, constitute, detail, nominate, place, baptize, call, christen, denominate, dub, entitle, label, style, term, title

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Designate

Words with the opposite meaning of Designate:

discharge, dismiss, expel, fire

Related Words for Designate

adopt, choose, determine, establish, opt (for), pick, pin (down), prefer, select, settle, single (out), specify, arrange, coordinate, orchestrate, advertise, announce, declare, publish, authorize, delegate, depute, deputize, anoint, consecrate, create, inaugurate, induct, install, instate

Near Antonyms of Designate

blackball, depose, dethrone, displace, eject, evict, oust, overthrow, remove, throw out, uncrown, unmake, unseat

Word Forms of Designate

Inflections: designated, designating

Derived words: designative (adjective), designator (noun), designatory (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Designate

Latin designatus, past participle of designare see design:1

First known use: 1596

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Designate

Words & Phrases Containing Designate

designate as, predesignated

Frequently Asked Questions about Designate

What does "Designate" mean?

"Designate" means to indicate and set apart for a specific purpose, office, or duty. As an a verb and an adjective, it is defined as: to indicate and set apart for a specific purpose, office, or duty. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Designate"?

Other words for "Designate" include appoint, fix, name, set, assign, attach, commission and constitute. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Designate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Designate"?

There are 77 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Designate". Common alternatives include appoint, fix, name, set, assign, attach, commission, constitute, detail and nominate.

What is the opposite of "Designate"?

Antonyms of "Designate" include discharge, dismiss, expel and fire. Near antonyms include blackball, depose, dethrone and displace.

How do you use "Designate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Designate" in a sentence: "the designated time for the meeting"; "he has yet to designate his successor as head of the firm"; "he was designated Air Jordan by his fans".

Is "Designate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Designate" can be used as a verb and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Designate" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Designate" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Designate"?

"Designate" is pronounced /ˈde-zig-ˌnāt/ and divided into syllables as des·ig·nate.