What does anointing mean?
Anointing refers to the ceremonial act of applying oil — or, historically, other substances such as ointment — to a person as a mark of consecration, blessing, or divine appointment. The practice appears across many religious traditions: Hebrew Scripture describes prophets, priests, and kings being anointed, and Christianity retains rites such as the anointing of the sick and the chrismation of believers. In royal contexts, anointing has long formed part of coronation ceremonies, symbolizing that a monarch's authority carries a sacred dimension. Beyond its literal religious sense, the word is used figuratively to describe the formal selection or endorsement of someone for a prominent role, as when a political party is said to have anointed a successor. Because of this dual character, anointing can convey solemn reverence in liturgical settings while carrying a subtly ironic edge in political or corporate commentary, where it implies that a choice was made from above rather than earned on merit.
nounThe act or ceremony of applying oil, ointment, or another substance to a person, especially as a religious rite symbolizing consecration, blessing, or divine appointment. It also refers figuratively to the formal selection or designation of someone for a role.
- A religious ceremony in which oil (or another substance) is applied to a person to consecrate, bless, or set them apart for a sacred purpose.
- Figuratively, the formal or symbolic designation of a person for a position, role, or honor — often implying endorsement by authority.
"The new king's anointing took place in a solemn ceremony at the cathedral."
"The priest performed the anointing with fragrant oil as part of the ancient rite."
"Critics argued that the board's choice of successor felt less like a merit-based decision than a quiet anointing."
Rarely pluralized; the plural may appear when referring to multiple distinct ceremonial acts, but the singular is standard even for repeated rituals.
"The archive records the anointings of several monarchs across three centuries."
In medieval England, the anointing of a monarch was considered so sacred that the moment was hidden from public view behind a canopy — and the exact formula of the holy oil remains one of history's best-kept secrets.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of anointing
Anointing derives from the verb 'anoint', which entered Middle English in the late medieval period through Old French 'enoindre', itself stemming from Latin 'inungere' ('to smear on'), built from 'in-' and 'ungere' ('to anoint with grease or oil'). The Latin root 'ungere' also gave rise to English words such as 'unction', 'unctuous', and 'unguent', all connected to the idea of rubbing or smearing with oily substances. In religious usage, the term translates the Greek 'chriein' and Hebrew 'mashach', the latter giving us the word 'Messiah', meaning 'the anointed one'.
Related word forms
How anointing is actually used
The word carries strong religious connotations, particularly within Christianity and Judaism, where anointing with oil signifies divine favor or consecration. In secular contexts it is used figuratively, sometimes with a slightly ironic tone, to suggest that someone has been chosen or endorsed by those in power rather than earning a position outright. The related term 'anointing' is also used in some Pentecostal and charismatic Christian traditions to describe a spiritual empowerment believed to come from God.
Easily confused with anointing
An appointment is a formal arrangement to meet or an act of filling a position, whereas an anointing is a ritual application of oil or a symbolic act of consecration.
An assignment is a task allocated to someone, while an anointing is a ceremonial or spiritual act of setting a person apart.