Assigned Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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assigned

[əˈsʌɩn ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

task completion

To allocate a task or responsibility to someone.

Synonyms

allocate, appoint, delegate, designate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
assigned

Use when someone is given a specific task or duty.

  • She was assigned to lead the project
  • The teacher assigned homework for the weekend
allocate

Use when distributing resources, money, or time to specific tasks or people.

  • The company decided to allocate more funds to the marketing department
  • The manager will allocate the tasks among the team members
appoint

Use when formally selecting someone for a position or role.

  • The board will appoint a new CEO
  • She was appointed as the chairperson of the committee
delegate

Use when giving responsibility or authority to someone else to complete a task. This often implies trust and the ability to distribute workloads.

  • The manager decided to delegate the responsibility to her assistant
  • Effective leaders know how to delegate tasks
designate

Use when specifying or officially naming someone or something for a particular purpose or role.

  • The area was designated as a no-parking zone
  • He was designated as the spokesperson for the event

Examples of usage

  • She assigned the project to the new team member.
  • The teacher assigned homework for the weekend.
Context #2 | Verb

attribute

To regard something as belonging to or caused by someone or something.

Synonyms

allocate, ascribe, attribute, impute.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
attribute

Used when explaining the cause of something or giving credit to someone for something. Suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

  • He attributes his achievements to his supportive family.
  • The doctor attributes the patient's recovery to the new treatment.
ascribe

Used when attributing a cause, characteristic, or motive to something or someone. Often used in formal or academic writing.

  • Scholars ascribe this painting to Leonardo da Vinci.
  • They ascribe her success to hard work and determination.
impute

Used typically in a legal or formal context to attribute fault or responsibility, often with a slightly negative connotation.

  • The prosecutor will impute the crime to the defendant.
  • It's unfair to impute motives to someone without proper evidence.
allocate

Used when distributing resources, funds, or time for specific purposes. Often used in financial or resource management contexts.

  • The budget committee will allocate funds for the new initiative.
  • We need to allocate more time for this part of the project.

Examples of usage

  • The police assigned blame to the suspect.
  • The book assigned authorship to the famous writer.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Education

  • In classrooms, teachers often assign homework to help students practice what they learned.
  • Assignments are a key part of assessing a student's understanding and progress.
  • Group projects are often assigned to encourage teamwork and collaboration among students.

Psychology

  • When tasks are assigned clearly, they can reduce anxiety and improve focus for the individual receiving the task.
  • The way a task is framed can greatly influence a person's motivation to complete it.
  • Feeling assigned to a responsibility can enhance a sense of belonging and purpose.

Workplace Dynamics

  • Job assignments can foster accountability within teams, ensuring everyone knows their roles.
  • In project management, assigning tasks helps in tracking progress and meeting deadlines.
  • Effective leaders often delegate tasks based on team members' strengths and skills.

Pop Culture

  • Many reality TV shows feature challenges where participants are assigned specific roles.
  • In video games, players are assigned missions that advance the storyline and provide rewards.
  • Popular series often depict characters receiving assignments that lead to personal growth and adventure.

Origin of 'assigned'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'assignare', which means 'to mark out or designate'.
  • In Middle English, it was used in the context of appointing someone to a position.
  • The prefix 'as-' means 'to' and 'sign' refers to marking or indicating something.

The word 'assign' comes from the Latin word 'assignare', which means to mark out, point out, or appoint. It has been used in the English language since the 14th century. Over time, 'assign' has evolved to encompass various meanings related to task delegation and attribution.


See also: assign, assignable, assignee, assigning, assignment, assignments, assignor, misassign, preassign, reassign, reassignment, unassigned.

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,662, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.