anoint
Americanverb (used with object)
-
anoints,
present (3rd person singular)
-
anointed,
past participle, past
-
anointing
present participle
-
to rub or sprinkle on; apply an unguent, ointment, or oily liquid to.
-
to smear with any liquid.
-
to consecrate or make sacred in a ceremony that includes the token applying of oil.
He anointed the new high priest.
-
to dedicate to the service of God.
-
to select for an honor, a particular role or office, etc..
After today’s interview, it looks like he will soon be anointed as head of the new Special Projects division.
The headline read, “Dictionary.com anoints ‘allyship’ Word of the Year for 2021.”
verb
-
to smear or rub over with oil or an oily liquid
-
to apply oil to as a sign of consecration or sanctification in a sacred rite
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
anointsimple
-
anointssimple
-
have anointedperfect
-
has anointedperfect
-
am anointingprogressive
-
are anointingprogressive
-
is anointingprogressive
-
have been anointingperfect progressive
-
has been anointingperfect progressive
Past
-
anointedsimple
-
had anointedperfect
-
was anointingprogressive
-
were anointingprogressive
-
had been anointingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of anoint
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English anoynten, derivative of anoynt, enoynt (past participle), from Old French enoint, from Latin inūnctus “anointed” (past participle of inungere ), equivalent to in- in- 2 + ung- “smear with oil” + -tus past participle suffix
Explanation
To anoint means to choose by divine intervention. Or at least it seems like the big guy upstairs had something to do with it. Saints and religious leaders are said to be anointed, but so is that new unstoppable quarterback who saved the team midseason. Anoint comes to us from the ancient Latin word unguere, which means "to smear." Which explains the other sense of this word, which is to apply with oil or another smearable substance, such as during a religious ceremony.
Vocabulary lists containing anoint
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I've Been to the Mountaintop" (1968)
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Mythology
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
There is this idea that through market-controlling systems like the draft and the salary cap, any team, no matter how minor or shabby, may stumble into a transcendent talent and anoint a dynasty.
From Slate ● Aug. 28, 2026
The third-placed Pheu Thai party of jailed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra agreed to join him in a coalition, alongside several smaller parties, and parliament will anoint him on Thursday.
From Barron's ● Mar. 18, 2026
Manager Dave Roberts refused to anoint Ohtani as his Game 7 starter after the Dodgers’ heart-stopping 3-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jay.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 1, 2025
Nearly four months after the Conservatives went down to their worst defeat in a general election in their history, they are about to anoint a new leader.
From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2024
“Seelie Court, twilight folk, come forward and anoint your prince,” Val Moren says.
From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black
Each year TED anoints a small cohort—scientists, artists, activists, and entrepreneurs—as TED Fellows, giving them visibility, coaching, and introductions to potential funders.
From Slate ● May 8, 2026
Overlooking David’s many strapping older brothers, the wise elder anoints the astonished kid as the next king, but cautions him that the ceremony must be kept secret.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 18, 2025
A: When he anoints himself the story's hero.
From Salon ● Sep. 5, 2022
"Governments must give everyone the possibility of earning their bread because this gives them dignity. Work anoints people with dignity," he said.
From Reuters ● Jan. 12, 2022
When he anoints Dain’s other side, he paints it in thick swaths of pollen, yellow as butter.
From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black
According to Licence, this interpretation could help resolve a longstanding historical puzzle: why would a pope support the violent removal of an anointed king?
From Science Daily ● Aug. 11, 2026
Thatcher, his latest anointed icon, fares no better than a butterfly pinned to his mood board.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
In the course of a whirlwind four weeks, every wing of the parliamentary Labour Party has anointed him as the only person able to reverse their electoral predicament.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
His father's second and final term runs until January, 2029 and the Republican president has not yet anointed a successor.
From Barron's ● May 21, 2026
"By the grace of his liege lord, he holds a stout keep and lands of his own. The man is an anointed knight."
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
In that sense, it appeared more like an anointing than a procedural formality: the veteran of the American left passing the baton to a younger standard-bearer.
From Slate ● Jan. 3, 2026
Can’t we just enjoy all their greatness as part of Dodgers history without anointing one greater than another?
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 5, 2025
He was anointing them, he said, to become poll workers.
From Slate ● Sep. 25, 2024
While Liverpool youngster Ben Woodburn grabbed headlines for a goal and assist in World Cup qualifying, Williams was anointing an unused sub as his natural heir as Wales centre-back and leader.
From BBC ● Mar. 18, 2024
I was in my room after lunch, reading James chapter five because I would talk about the biblical roots of the anointing of the sick during family time, when I heard the sounds.
From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
