anointed

American

[uh-noin-tid] / əˈnɔɪn tɪd /

adjective

consecrated or made sacred; dedicated to God, often in a ceremony that includes dabbing or sprinkling with holy oil.

In the Bible, the anointed High Priest was chosen from among the descendants of Aaron.
From the highest patriarch to the youngest baptized and anointed infant, communion was received by all at the Orthodox church.
chosen by or as if by divine authority; chosen for a sacred, high, or special vocation or purpose.

Stalin left no anointed successor, nor any framework for the orderly transfer of power.
Christianity. empowered or made effective for God’s purposes by the special activity of the Holy Spirit.

This is one of the most anointed websites I’ve ever visited—I was so encouraged by the devotional there.
rubbed or sprinkled with oil, ointment, or other oil-based mixture.

Pausing in the kitchen with the turkey, I heard ripples of anticipation as guests awaited the anointed bird and its accouterments.
sprinkled or smeared with any liquid (often used in combination).

The Pilsner on tap was a lovely light beer that paired nicely with lemon-juice-anointed oysters.

noun

Often Anointed the person or people chosen or declared chosen by God.

David kept Abishai from killing King Saul, because it would be wicked to attack the Lord's anointed.

verb

the simple past tense and past participle of anoint.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of anointed

First recorded in 1375–1425; anoint ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective and noun senses; anoint ( def. ) + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb sense

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.

In each market mania, new celebrity stock pickers get anointed, from Ryan Jacob and his Internet Fund during the dot-com era to Cathie Wood and her ARK Innovation ETF during the pandemic rally of 2020.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

They believe that God speaks directly to and through the NAR’s anointed apostles and prophets about current and sometimes future events.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

Reports have swirled in the media that the younger Khamenei has already been anointed by the Assembly of Experts, a grouping of some 88 senior clerics tasked with this responsibility.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

He was succeeded by Thaksin's daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was judicially ousted in turn before parliament anointed Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul in September -- the country's third prime minister in two years.

From Barron's • Feb. 7, 2026

“But Roberto Vega —the seven- teen-year-old anointed —is visiting our congregation and will give a speech.”

From "Bodega Dreams" by Ernesto Quinonez

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023