Appointment vs. Reservation — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 16, 2024
"Appointment" refers to a scheduled meeting with someone, often professional, while "reservation" is the act of holding a spot or service for future use.
Difference Between Appointment and Reservation
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An "appointment" is typically arranged for professional, formal, or service-related purposes, involving a one-on-one or small group meeting at a specific time and place. This could involve a healthcare visit, a business meeting, or a service session, where the time is set aside for a particular individual or group. "Reservation," on the other hand, usually pertains to securing access to a facility, service, or event, such as a table at a restaurant, a hotel room, or a seat at a concert, often without implying a personalized or one-on-one interaction.
Appointments are common in sectors like healthcare, beauty and wellness, legal, and professional services, where specific time slots are allocated for individual clients to receive dedicated attention or service. Reservations are typically made in the hospitality and travel industries, entertainment, and public facilities, ensuring that the service or space will be available when needed.
While making an appointment usually involves agreeing on a mutual time for a meeting or service, often with a specific person, making a reservation often involves choosing from available slots or capacities without necessarily interacting with a specific individual during the reservation process.
The cancellation or rescheduling of appointments often requires direct communication with the person or service provider, given the personal or professional nature of the commitment. In contrast, reservations can often be cancelled or altered through automated systems, reflecting the more transactional nature of the commitment.
Despite these differences, both appointments and reservations are mechanisms for managing time and resources efficiently, ensuring that services are delivered effectively and that both providers and recipients can plan their schedules accordingly.
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
Scheduled meeting for services, consultations, or professional interactions
Holding a spot or service for future use
Common Contexts
Healthcare, professional services, beauty and wellness
Hospitality, travel, entertainment, public facilities
Interaction Type
Often one-on-one or small group, personalized
Can be impersonal, securing a service or space
Cancellation/Rescheduling
Typically requires direct communication with the service provider
Often managed through automated systems or platforms
Nature of Commitment
Personal or professional commitment to meet or receive a service
Commitment to use a space, service, or attend an event
Compare with Definitions
Appointment
A scheduled meeting set at a specific time, especially for professional or medical consultations.
She confirmed her dental appointment for next Monday.
Reservation
The act of keeping something, such as a seat or room, held or booked for exclusive use at a later time.
They made a reservation at their favorite restaurant for their anniversary.
Appointment
In a broader sense, appointment signifies any arrangement to meet someone at a specific time and place.
We have an appointment with the contractor to discuss the renovations.
Reservation
In travel, reservation refers to booking transportation or accommodation in advance.
Early flight reservations are recommended during peak travel seasons.
Appointment
Appointment can also refer to the act of appointing someone to a position or role.
His appointment to the board was well-received.
Reservation
The term is used in contexts like parks or protected areas set aside for specific purposes.
The national park is a reservation dedicated to preserving natural habitats.
Appointment
The term can imply the allocation or scheduling of specific resources or services for an individual.
The salon had a tight schedule but managed to fit in her appointment.
Reservation
Reservation can also mean a condition or caveat applied to an agreement or acceptance.
He accepted the offer with a few reservations regarding his responsibilities.
Appointment
Appointment is also used in legal contexts to denote the designation of someone to perform a certain duty.
The lawyer's appointment as executor of the estate was finalized last week.
Reservation
In social settings, reservation might indicate a reluctance or hesitancy to fully engage or commit.
Despite her reservations, she decided to join the club and meet new people.
Appointment
The act of appointing or designating someone for an office or position.
Reservation
The action of reserving something
The reservation of positions for non-Americans
Appointment
The office or position to which one has been appointed.
Reservation
An expression of doubt qualifying overall approval of a plan or statement
Some generals voiced reservations about making air strikes
Appointment
An arrangement to do something or meet someone at a particular time and place.
Reservation
An area of land set aside for occupation by North American Indians or Australian Aborigines
The boy's family live on an Indian reservation
Appointment
Appointments Furnishings, fittings, or equipment.
Reservation
A right or interest retained in an estate being conveyed
The retention of a right to enter the demised property will be a reservation
Appointment
(Law) The act of directing the disposition of property by virtue of a power granted for this purpose.
Reservation
(in the Roman Catholic Church) the action of a superior of reserving to himself the power of absolution.
Appointment
The act of appointing a person to hold an office or to have a position of trust
His appointment as treasurer was deemed suitable.
Reservation
The act of reserving; a keeping back or withholding
The reservation of the right to use the property.
Appointment
The state of being appointed to a service or office; an office to which one is appointed
The appointment of treasurer
Reservation
A limiting qualification, condition, or exception
Accepted with the reservation that she would have to leave early.
Appointment
Stipulation; agreement; the act of fixing by mutual agreement.
Reservation
Often reservations A doubt or misgiving
Has reservations about the proposal.
Appointment
An arrangement between people to meet; an engagement.
They made an appointment to meet at six.
I'm leaving work early because I have a doctor's appointment.
Reservation
A tract of land set apart by the federal government for a special purpose, especially one for the use of a Native American people.
Appointment
(religion) Decree; direction; established order or constitution.
To submit to the divine appointments.
Reservation
An arrangement by which accommodations are secured in advance, as in a hotel or restaurant or on an airplane.
Appointment
(law) The exercise of the power of designating (under a power of appointment) a person to enjoy an estate or other specific property; also, the instrument by which the designation is made.
Reservation
The act of reserving, withholding or keeping back.
The committee authorised the reservation of funds.
Appointment
(government) The assignment of a person by an official to perform a duty, such as a presidential appointment of a judge to a court.
Reservation
The practice of reserving part of the consecrated bread of the Eucharist for the communion of the sick.
Appointment
(in the plural) Equipment, furniture.
Reservation
The act of the pope to reserve to himself the right to nominate to certain benefices.
Appointment
(US) An honorary part or exercise, as an oration, etc., at a public exhibition of a college.
To have an appointment
Reservation
Something that is withheld or kept back.
Appointment
(obsolete) The allowance paid to a public officer.
Reservation
A limiting qualification regarding certainty; a doubt.
I have reservations about your intentions.
Appointment
The act of appointing; designation of a person to hold an office or discharge a trust; as, he erred by the appointment of unsuitable men.
Reservation
(US) A tract of land set apart by the US government for the use of a Native American people; Indian reservation (compare Canadian reserve).
Appointment
The state of being appointed to som service or office; an office to which one is appointed; station; position; an, the appointment of treasurer.
Reservation
An arrangement by which accommodation or transport arrangements are secured in advance.
I have a hotel reservation in the name of Mr Smith.
Appointment
Stipulation; agreement; the act of fixing by mutual agreement. Hence:: Arrangement for a meeting; engagement; as, they made an appointment to meet at six.
Reservation
(UK) The area which separates opposing lanes of traffic on a divided motorway or dual carriageway; see also central reservation.
A vehicle crashed through the central reservation into the path of oncoming traffic.
Appointment
Decree; direction; established order or constitution; as, to submit to the divine appointments.
According to the appointment of the priests.
Reservation
(India) The setting aside of a certain percentage of vacancies in government institutions for members of backward and underrepresented communities (defined primarily by caste and tribe).
Appointment
The exercise of the power of designating (under a "power of appointment") a person to enjoy an estate or other specific property; also, the instrument by which the designation is made.
Reservation
A power of an overseeing authority to suspend legislation in the jurisdiction being overseen pending the approval of a higher authority. Such as a provincial/state governor reserving a bill passed by the state/provincial legislature from assent, pending approval of the federal government; or a federal bill passed by federal parliament being reserved by the viceroy pending approval by the crown.
Appointment
Equipment, furniture, as for a ship or an army; whatever is appointed for use and management; outfit; (pl.) the accouterments of military officers or soldiers, as belts, sashes, swords.
The cavaliers emulated their chief in the richness of their appointments.
I'll prove it in my shackles, with these handsVoid of appointment, that thou liest.
Reservation
The act of reserving, or keeping back; concealment, or withholding from disclosure; reserve.
With reservation of an hundred knights.
Make some reservation of your wrongs.
Appointment
An allowance to a person, esp. to a public officer; a perquisite; - properly only in the plural.
An expense proportioned to his appointments and fortune is necessary.
Reservation
Something withheld, either not expressed or disclosed, or not given up or brought forward.
Appointment
A honorary part or exercise, as an oration, etc., at a public exhibition of a college; as, to have an appointment.
Reservation
A tract of the public land reserved for some special use, as for schools, for the use of Indians, etc.
Appointment
The act of putting a person into a non-elective position;
The appointment had to be approved by the whole committee
Reservation
The state of being reserved, or kept in store.
Appointment
A meeting arranged in advance;
She asked how to avoid kissing at the end of a date
Reservation
A clause in an instrument by which some new thing is reserved out of the thing granted, and not in esse before.
Appointment
(usually plural) furnishings and equipment (especially for a ship or hotel)
Reservation
The portion of the sacramental elements reserved for purposes of devotion and for the communion of the absent and sick.
Appointment
A person who is appointed to a job or position
Reservation
An agreement to have some space, service or other acommodation, as at a hotel, a restaurant, or on a public transport system, held for one's future use; also, the record or receipt for such an agreement, or the contractual obligation to retain that accommodation; as, a hotel reservation; a reservation on a flight to Dallas; to book a reservation at the Ritz.
Appointment
The job to which you are (or hope to be) appointed;
He applied for an appointment in the treasury
Reservation
A district that is reserved for particular purpose
Appointment
(law) the act of disposing of property by virtue of the power of appointment;
She allocated part of the trust to her church by appointment
Reservation
A statement that limits or restricts some claim;
He recommended her without any reservations
Reservation
An unstated doubt that prevents you from accepting something wholeheartedly
Reservation
The act of reserving (a place or passage) or engaging the services of (a person or group);
Wondered who had made the booking
Reservation
The written record or promise of an arrangement by which accommodations are secured in advance
Reservation
Something reserved in advance (as a hotel accommodation or a seat on a plane etc.)
Reservation
The act of keeping back or setting aside for some future occasion
Common Curiosities
Is it possible to have an appointment at a restaurant?
While the term "reservation" is typically used for restaurants, in some contexts, "appointment" could be used, especially for planned meetings or events there.
Can you make a reservation for a professional service?
Yes, but this is more commonly referred to as booking an appointment, especially if it involves a scheduled service or consultation.
What happens if you miss an appointment or reservation?
Consequences vary, from loss of a deposit or fee to being able to reschedule without penalty, depending on the provider's policies.
How far in advance can you make appointments or reservations?
This varies widely depending on the service, provider, and demand, ranging from the same day to several months or even years in advance.
Are appointments and reservations only made for professional and commercial services?
Primarily, yes, but the concepts can also apply to personal commitments and informal settings, like reserving time for a friend or planning a personal meeting.
How do digital platforms impact appointments and reservations?
Digital platforms have streamlined the process, allowing for online booking, reminders, and easy rescheduling or cancellation, enhancing convenience and efficiency.
Can appointments or reservations be transferred to someone else?
This depends on the provider's policy; some may allow transfers, while others may require the original person to cancel or reschedule.
Do all appointments require confirmation?
Many service providers request or automatically send appointment confirmations, though practices vary.
Are there penalties for canceling reservations or appointments last minute?
Depending on the provider's policy, there may be cancellation fees or loss of deposits, particularly for services in high demand.
How do cultural norms influence the perception of appointments and reservations?
Cultural attitudes towards punctuality, commitment, and service can influence how appointments and reservations are made, honored, and perceived in different societies.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
