anoint

1 of 2

verb

ə-ˈnȯint 

anointed; anointing; anoints

transitive verb

1

: to smear or rub with oil or an oily substance

2

a

: to apply oil to as part of a religious ceremony

The priest anointed the sick.

b

: to choose by or as if by divine election

anoint him as his successor

also : to designate as if by a ritual anointment

Critics have anointed her as an important new literary figure.

anointer noun

anointment

ə-ˈnȯint-mənt 

noun

anointment

2 of 2

noun

anoint·​ment ə-ˈnȯint-mənt 

plural -s

1

: the action of anointing or state of being anointed

2

archaic : ointment

Synonyms of anoint

Verb

• smear
• paint
• coat

Examples of anoint in a Sentence

Verb

The magazine anointed her the most popular actress of the year.

anoint the wound with antiseptic to prevent infection

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Think Lady Gaga anointing herself an A-list leading lady by way of her grand appearance for the premiere of A Star Is Born. — Nate Jones, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026

Sci-fi blends with folklore as shamans stand in fields to anoint the new drone gods. — Pablo Larios, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026

Ternus, who was anointed Apple’s next CEO in April, had just finished a long day of reporting the company’s quarterly earnings. — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

Norway has not held a coronation ceremony since 1906, when King Haakon VII and Queen Maud were crowned and anointed at Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French enoint, past participle of enoindre, from Latin inunguere, from in- + unguere to smear — more at ointment

Noun

Middle English, from anointen + -ment

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for anoint

• adjoint
• appoint
• checkpoint
• conjoint
• disjoint
• endpoint
• gunpoint
• midpoint
• nonpoint
• pinpoint
• standpoint
• viewpoint

Kids Definition

anoint

verb

ə-ˈnȯint 

1

: to rub over with oil or an oily substance

2

: to put oil on as part of a religious ceremony

anointer noun

anointment

-mənt 

noun