Words / B2

uh-SYN/əˈsaɪn/

To assign is to give someone a specific task, role, or seat — more official than give or ask. Teachers assign homework; managers assign duties; you can also assign a meaning to a symbol. Allocate is closer when you are sharing a limited resource (money, time). Assignment is the noun for the piece of work. In casual talk, give is enough.

Meaning

To give someone a job or a piece of work to do.

Examples

• “The teacher assigned a short essay.”
• “Each pair was assigned a different chapter.”
• “The desk by the window is assigned to visitors.”

Good to know

assign someone a task / assign a role. Noun: assignment. Contrast: allocate resources.

Near in meaning

give

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