What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
designate
Example
The company decided to designate John as the new team leader. [designate: verb]
Example
The sign designated the parking area for visitors only. [designated: past participle]
Example
The map designated the different regions of the country with different colors. [designated: past tense]
label
Example
Please label the boxes with their contents before storing them. [label: verb]
Example
The product label indicated the ingredients and nutritional information. [label: noun]
Example
The artist's work is often labeled as abstract expressionism. [labeled: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Label is more commonly used than designate in everyday language. Label is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while designate is less common and refers to a deliberate and intentional assignment.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between designate and label?
Designate is typically associated with a formal or professional tone, while label is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
