How to Spell Appointment and Related Words

The correct spelling is A-P-P-O-I-N-T-M-E-N-T

Appointment is spelled with two P's, one O, one I, and ends in -ment. The word comes from the verb "appoint," which means to arrange a meeting or assign someone to a role. The -ment suffix turns the verb into a noun — the thing itself rather than the action.

The most common mistake is spelling it with one P (apoint) or with an E instead of an I (appointement). Both are wrong. If you're unsure, remember that "appoint" already has two P's, and adding -ment keeps both of them.

Key Takeaways

• Appointment is spelled A-P-P-O-I-N-T-M-E-N-T with two P's and an I before the N.
• The word breaks into two parts: "appoint" (the verb) plus "-ment" (a suffix that makes it a noun).
• Common misspellings include "apoint" (one P) and "appointement" (E instead of I).
• Related words like "appointee" and "appointed" follow the same two-P pattern as the root word "appoint".
• Using spell-check and looking up the word in a dictionary takes seconds and prevents errors in professional or medical contexts.

Why the double P matters

English spelling rules say that when a one-syllable word ends in a consonant preceded by a single vowel, you double the final consonant before adding a suffix that starts with a vowel. The word "appoint" ends in T, not P, so that rule doesn't apply here — but "appoint" already has two P's built in because of how the word was formed historically.

The double P comes from the Latin root "appointare," which combined "ad-" (to) and "punctum" (point). That double P stayed in English when the word entered the language, and it stays when you add -ment. Understanding this history helps explain why the spelling looks the way it does, even if the rule itself doesn't follow the standard doubling pattern.

Related words and how to spell them

Once you know how to spell "appointment," the related words follow the same pattern:

• Appoint — A-P-P-O-I-N-T (the verb; two P's)
• Appointed — A-P-P-O-I-N-T-E-D (past tense; two P's)
• Appointee — A-P-P-O-I-N-T-E-E (the person appointed; two P's)
• Appointer — A-P-P-O-I-N-T-E-R (the person who appoints; two P's)
• Appointments — A-P-P-O-I-N-T-M-E-N-T-S (plural; two P's)

All of these words keep the two P's because they all build from the root "appoint." If you can spell that correctly, you can spell every word in this family. The pattern is consistent across all forms of the word, whether you're using it as a verb, noun, or describing the person involved.

Common misspellings and how to avoid them

The most frequent error is dropping one P and writing "apoint" or "apontment." This happens because people hear the word spoken and don't realize there are two P's — they sound like one when you say the word aloud. When you type it, slow down and count: A-P-P. Two separate letters, even though they blend together in speech.

The second common mistake is writing "appointement" with an E instead of an I before the N. This error often comes from people who learned French or Spanish, where -ement is a common suffix. In English, the suffix is -ment, and the I comes from the root word "appoint," not from the suffix itself. The I is part of "point," not part of the ending.

A third, rarer error is "appointmant" or "appointmint" — changing the final A or E. The correct ending is always -ment, pronounced like "muhnt." This mistake usually happens when someone is typing quickly or relying on muscle memory from other words.

How to remember the spelling

Break the word into chunks: ap-point-ment. Say each part aloud. The first part "ap" has one P. The second part "point" has one P. Together they make "appoint" with two P's. Then add "-ment" and you have "appointment."

Another way: think of the verb "point" (one P). Add the prefix "ap-" (one P) to make "appoint" (two P's). Then add "-ment" to make "appointment" (still two P's). This method works because you're building the word step by step rather than trying to remember the whole thing at once.

You can also write the word out by hand a few times if you're preparing for something important. Handwriting helps your brain lock in the correct spelling better than just reading it does.

Checking your spelling in writing

If you're typing an appointment confirmation, a calendar entry, or a professional email, use your spell-checker. Most word processors will flag "apoint" or "appointement" as wrong and suggest the correct spelling. If you're writing by hand, take a moment to double-check before you send or submit — appointment is a word people notice, especially in a professional or medical context.

When you're in doubt, you can also look up the word in a dictionary or search engine. Seeing it spelled correctly in a trusted source takes only a few seconds and removes the guesswork. Many people keep a quick reference list of words they often misspell, and adding "appointment" to yours is a practical step if this word gives you trouble.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it "appointment" or "appointement"?

It is always "appointment" with an I before the N. The -ment suffix in English never uses an E in this position. "Appointement" is a French spelling and is incorrect in English.

Why does appointment have two P's?

The two P's come from the root word "appoint," which has been spelled that way since it entered English from French and Latin. The double P is part of the original word, not added by the -ment suffix.

How do I spell the plural of appointment?

The plural is "appointments" — A-P-P-O-I-N-T-M-E-N-T-S. You simply add an S to the end. The two P's stay the same.

What if I misspelled appointment in an important document?

If you catch the error before sending, correct it and resend. If the document has already been sent, a follow-up message pointing out the typo is usually unnecessary unless the misspelling affects clarity. Most readers will understand what you meant.

Is there a difference between "appoint" and "appointment"?

Yes. "Appoint" is a verb — the action of arranging a meeting or assigning someone. "Appointment" is a noun — the meeting itself or the assignment. Both are spelled with two P's.