Assigned: meaning, definitions and examples

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assigned

 

[əˈsʌɪn ]

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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • 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.

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.

Translations

Translations of the word "assigned" in other languages:

🇵🇹 atribuído

🇮🇳 नियुक्त

🇩🇪 zugewiesen

🇮🇩 ditugaskan

🇺🇦 призначений

🇵🇱 przydzielony

🇯🇵 割り当てられた

🇫🇷 attribué

🇪🇸 asignado

🇹🇷 atanmış

🇰🇷 할당된

🇸🇦 مخصص

🇨🇿 přidělený

🇸🇰 pridelený

🇨🇳 分配

🇸🇮 dodeljen

🇮🇸 úthlutað

🇰🇿 тағайындалған

🇬🇪 დანიშნული

🇦🇿 təyin edilmiş

🇲🇽 asignado

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.