reassign
C1Formal, Professional
Definition
Meaning
to assign (someone or something) to a different person, place, or role.
to officially change the allocation, ownership, or responsibility of a person, task, or resource to a new subject or destination.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word implies an official or administrative decision to change an existing assignment. It often carries a neutral or procedural connotation but can imply a demotion or lateral move in personnel contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. Spelling differences follow general patterns (e.g., 'reassign' vs 're-assign' are both seen, with the former being standard in both).
Connotations
Slightly more common in American corporate and military jargon, but widely used in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties. Slightly higher frequency in American English due to prevalent use in corporate, government, and tech sectors.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[subject] reassigns [object] (e.g., The manager reassigned the task)[subject] reassigns [object] to [indirect object] (e.g., They reassigned him to the London office)[object] be reassigned (passive)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms. The verb is used literally.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Common for HR decisions: 'After the merger, they will reassign several managers to new roles.'
Academic
Used in administrative or research contexts: 'The grant funding was reassigned to a different laboratory.'
Everyday
Less common; used for formal household or group tasks: 'I reassigned the cleaning duties for this week.'
Technical
Frequent in computing and project management: 'The system admin can reassign user permissions.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The headteacher decided to reassign the tutor to Year 11.
- Due to budget cuts, they had to reassign the funds.
American English
- Management will reassign him to the Chicago branch.
- The software allows you to reassign tickets to different agents.
adverb
British English
- Not a standard adverbial form. 'Reassignably' is not used.
American English
- Not a standard adverbial form. 'Reassignably' is not used.
adjective
British English
- The reassign function is located in the admin menu.
- He received a reassign letter from HR last week.
American English
- Click the reassign button to transfer the case.
- Her reassign paperwork is being processed.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My boss reassigned the work to another team.
- The teacher reassigned the students to new groups.
- After the project failed, the company reassigned the lead developer to a maintenance role.
- The court ordered the property to be reassigned to the legal heirs.
- The general opted to reassign key personnel to bolster the defensive line.
- The committee's mandate was reassigned to a new oversight body following the scandal.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of RE-ASSIGN: to ASSIGN something AGAIN (RE-). It's giving the same task, role, or thing to someone or somewhere new.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESOURCES ARE OBJECTS THAT CAN BE MOVED TO NEW LOCATIONS / ROLES ARE CONTAINERS ONE CAN BE PLACED INTO.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'переназначить' (to reappoint, which is closer). 'Reassign' is broader. Avoid using 'перераспределить' for people; it's better for tasks/resources. For people, 'перевести на другую должность/в другой отдел' is a closer conceptual match.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'reassign' with 'resign' (to quit). Incorrect: 'He decided to reassign from his post.' Correct: 'He decided to resign.'
- Using it without a clear object or recipient. Weak: 'They decided to reassign.' Better: 'They decided to reassign the team.'
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'reassign' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Reassign' is broader and commonly used for people, tasks, and roles. 'Reallocate' is more specific to resources, funds, or time, emphasizing distribution.
It can be used for both. You can reassign a person to a new job or reassign a task/project to a different team.
It is generally neutral and procedural. Context determines the connotation: it could be positive (a promotion), negative (a demotion), or neutral (an administrative change).
They are often synonyms. 'Reassign' specifically implies changing an existing assignment, often initiated by authority. 'Transfer' is more general for moving from one place/state to another and can be initiated by the subject ('I transferred schools').