appointive

[ uh-poin-tiv ]

adjective

1. pertaining to or filled by appointment:

   an appointive office.

2. having the ability or authority to appoint:

   appointive powers.

appointive

/ əˈpɔɪntɪv /

adjective

1. relating to or filled by appointment

   an appointive position

Other Words From

• nonap·pointive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of appointive¹

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; appoint + -ive

Example Sentences

“Is it really an appointive process if there’s a vote being taken?” said Judge Roderick Young, a Trump appointee.

From Washington Times

“It is my understanding that ‘appointive office’ as used in RCW. 77.04.040 does not include a volunteer position like a planning commission member who serves in an advisory capacity only.

From Seattle Times

Mr. Dinkins was a cautious, deliberate Harlem Democrat who climbed to City Hall through relatively minor elective and appointive offices.

From New York Times

Comey: I think I’m done in governments, certainly in an appointive role, I would never run for office, but an appointed role in government.

From MSNBC

In fact, Bush rose in the Party because of electoral, not appointive, politics.

From The New Yorker

Related Words

• elective