Vocabulary for Appointments and Schedules in English | 50 new words!
You can watch my YouTube lesson or keep scrolling down! Don’t forget to answer the review questions to help you remember all of these. TIP: Discuss these review questions with a friend!
#1 and #2 SCHEDULE OR TIMETABLE? (noun)
When we are speaking about a chart for bus times / train times / lesson times, “schedule” is more common in American English and “timetable” is more common in British English.
I need to download the bus schedule. I need to download the bus timetable.
But, if we are just speaking about our work or the things we need to do, “schedule” is the more common word.
What does your schedule look like for tomorrow?
review question: Are the bus/train schedules (or timetable) reliable in your country?
#3 a TIGHT SCHEDULE (noun)
definition: you have lots of things to do, but not much time
Tomorrow, I’ll be very busy. I have a tight schedule.
Next week, my schedule will be pretty tight.
review question: How often would you consider yourself to have a tight schedule?
#4 a PLANNER (noun)
definition: a book / app / calendar that you write dates and appointments in
Without my planner, I would forget all of my appointments.
According to my planner, Lorraine and Nathan are coming over for dinner on the 12th.
review question: Do you use a planner? Why or why not?
#5 a FIXED WORK SCHEDULE (noun)
definition: your schedule is the same every day, you cannot change it
- I have a fixed work schedule. I work Monday to Friday from 9 to 5.
- I used to have a fixed work schedule, but now I have more flexible hours.
review question: What are the pros and cons of having a fixed work schedule?
#6 a FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULE (noun)
definition: you choose when you work
As a mom, I’m so happy that I have a flexible work schedule.
During the pandemic, we all adopted a flexible work schedule.
review question: What are the pros and cons of having a flexible work schedule?
#7 to HAVE SHIFTS to WORK SHIFTS (noun)
definition: your schedule changes every day / week /month
I have the morning shift this week and the night shift next week.
I’m a nurse and I enjoy working the night shift. The hospital is less busy.
review question: In your country, what types of jobs often have shifts?
#8 NINE-TO-FIVE (adjective)
definition: used to describe a job with standard office hours
Most people who work in an office have a nine-to-five job.
I don’t want a nine-to-five job. I want to have flexible working hours and travel the world.
review question: Would you like to have a nine-to-five job? Why or why not?
#9 to be SELF-EMPLOYED (adjective)
definition: you are your own boss, you do not have a boss
I love being self-employed. I don’t need to answer to anyone.
My friend Chris in an electrician. He’s been self-employed for over 10 years.
review question: What are the pros and cons of being self-employed?
#10 to WORK FOR ONESELF (phrase)
definition: to be self-employed
I love working for myself. I don’t need to answer to anyone.
My friend Chris in a electrician. He’s been working for himself for over 10 years.
review question: Would you like to work for yourself? Why or why not?
#11 to work FULL-TIME (adjective/adverb)
definition: to work approximately 40 hours per week
When can I possibly find time to exercise? I have two kids and a full-time job.
I work and study full-time.
review question: Do you work full-time? How many hours a week do you normally work/study?
#12 to work PART-TIME (adjective/adverb)
definition: to work fewer hours than a full-time job
I used to work full-time, but after my baby was born I starting working part-time.
I would like a part-time job just to earn a little bit of money while at university.
review question: Do you work part-time? How many hours a week do you normally work/study?
#13 opening hours
#14 opening times
#15 business hours
definition: the times a store, café, restaurant, bank, etc. are open
Excuse me, what are your weekend opening hours?
Their business hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 to 10.
review question: What are the usual opening hours in your country for stores? restaurants? banks?
#16 alternate (adjective)
definition: something happens every other day
During the height of the Covid pandemic, everyone in our office worked alternate days. Group A worked on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Group B worked on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
not always work related: My sister made this amazing cake with alternate layers of chocolate crepes and cream.
review question: Why are the pros and cons of working alternate days?
#17 alternate (verb)
definition: to do something every other day
When I exercise, I alternate between cardio and yoga.
review question: Do you ever alternate between any two things? (exercise routine / meals / clothing)
#18 staggered (adjective)
definition: the start times are different for different groups
The entrance to the school is never busy because all of the start times are staggered.
- Grades 1-3 arrive at 8:30.
- Grades 4-6 arrive at 8:45.
- Grades 7 and 8 arrive at 9:00.
*staggered schedules usually have a zigzag shape
review question: Have you ever studied / worked anywhere with a staggered schedule?
#19 to SHOW UP (phrasal verb)
definition: a more formal way to say “arrive”
Two people didn’t show up for the meeting.
My bus showed up 20 minutes late.
review question: Do you know anyone who always shows up late for work? classes?
#20 to be AWAY (adjective / adverb)
definition: to not be at your workplace because of a vacation OR work related reasons
Mara is away on maternity leave.
Brian is away on a business trip.
review question: When was the last time you were away from work? What were the reasons?
#21 to be OFF (adjective / adverb)
definition: to not be at your workplace because you want to rest and relax
Next month, I’ll be off for two week. I’m going to Hawaii.
Jim and Karen are off this Tuesday.
review question: How many days off do you get per year?
#22 to COVER FOR someone (phrasal verb)
definition: to do a person’s job because he/she is away or off
I’m covering for Valeria on Wednesday because she has an appointment. I’ll be teaching her classes instead of her.
A: Can you cover for me on Tuesday? B: Sorry no, I’ve already covered for you three times this month.
review question: Have you ever covered for anyone at work? Has anyone ever covered for you?
#23 BACK-TO-BACK (adjective / adverb)
definition: for meetings, lessons, patients, etc. to happen one after the other without a break
I taught four English classes back-to-back.
doctor: I have back-to-back patients all morning.
review question: When was the last time you had back-to-back lessons? meetings? appointments?
#24 a BREAK (noun)
definition: a time to rest at work
Every day, I have a 10-minute morning break and a 45-minute lunch break.
Common Mistake
Every day, I have a 10-minute morning rest and a 45-minute lunch rest.
Every day, I have a 10-minute morning pause and a 45-minute lunch pause.
review question: How long is your lunch break usually?
#25 to be AHEAD OF SCHEDULE (phrase)
definition: to work faster than planned
doctor: It’s 11 a.m. and I’m already 30 minutes ahead of schedule. This is great. I might finish work early today.
The construction project is two months ahead of schedule.
review question: Have you ever completed anything ahead of schedule?
#26 to be BEHIND SCHEDULE (phrase)
definition: to work slower than planned
IT programmer: It’s 11 a.m. and I’m over an hour behind schedule.
The construction project is six months behind schedule.
review question: Have you ever been behind schedule on anything?
#27 to be BOOKED IN / to BOOK someone IN (phrasal verb)
definition: to have an appointment / to give someone an appointment
I’m booked in for a dental cleaning on the 9th.
My entire family was booked in to get their vaccines.
review question: When was the last time you were booked in for a dental cleaning?
#28 to CANCEL an appointment / flight / class (verb)
definition: to “end” your appointment / flight / class
Can we please cancel our next lesson? I have a doctor’s appointment on that day.
We had to cancel our flight due to health issues.
review question: What was the last lesson/appointment/meeting you had to cancel?
#29 to RESCHEDULE (verb)
definition: to move your original appointment time to a new time
I was originally booked in for a dental cleaning on the 9th, but I rescheduled it for the 15th.
review question: Why do people need to reschedule something?
#30 a TIME SLOT (noun)
definition: one single appointment space on a calendar
I looked at your online calendar, but couldn’t find a free slot.
review question: If you were a self-employed personal trainer, how many time slots would you offer per day?
#31 something WORKS FOR YOU (phrase)
definition: a plan is suitable for you
A: Are you available next Monday?
B: No, sorry. That doesn’t work for me. What about Tuesday? Does that work for you?
review question: What day of the week works best for you to meet up with a friend?
#32 to be FULLY BOOKED (adjective) #33 to be COMPLETELY BOOKED (adjective)
definition: there are no free slots
A: Can I please reserve a table for eight for tomorrow night please?
B: I’m very sorry, but we are fully booked / completely booked tomorrow evening.
review question: When was the last time you couldn’t go to a restaurant because it was fully / completely booked?
#34 AVAILABLE SLOT (noun)
definition: a more formal way to say “free slots”
therapist: I have one available slot next Tuesday. Does that work for you?
review question: On an online booking system, how do you know how many available slots there are?
#35 a WALK-IN (noun)
definition: a person who walks into a business without an appointment because an appointment isn’t necessary
a sign outside a hair salon: WALK-INS WELCOME (you can walk in without an appointment)
review question: please see #36
#36 WALK-IN (adjective)
definition: the adjective form of the noun “walk-in”
Our clinic’s walk-in hours are Monday and Tuesday, 7 to 9.
review question: What types of businesses in your country offer walk-in services?
#37 a LAST-MINUTE (adjective) cancellation / flight / reservation
definition: this happens at the very last moment
I managed to book a last-minute flight to Mallorca.
restaurant manager: We had a last-minute cancellation, so now we have a table for 6 available.
review question: If you had an appointment on the 12th, what would you consider a last-minute cancellation? (For example: I think a cancellation 24 hours before an appointment is last-minute.)
#38 a CANCELLATION (noun)
definition: the noun form of the verb “to cancel” #28
review question: Have a ever been charged for a cancellation?
#39 to SQUEEZE someone/something IN (phrasal verb)
definition: you have a tight schedule, but you manage to find time for something
I’m fully booked all of next week, but I can squeeze you in at 4 tomorrow if that works for you.
I always try to squeeze in a workout during my lunchbreak.
review question: Why would a business agree to squeeze in a client at the last minute?
#40 to DOUBLE BOOK someone (verb)
definition: you give two people the same appointment time by accident
I booked Carla in for 3, and I also booked Sheila in for 3. I can’t believe I double booked them!
review question: Have you ever been double booked?
#41 a NO-SHOW (noun)
definition: a person who doesn’t attend an appointment AND this person doesn’t call, message or email
My 12 0’clock student was a no-show today. I hope he’s OK.
Airlines often double book their seats because there are always a few no-shows.
review question: Why would someone (a no-show) not cancel their lesson / appointment in advance?
#42 EARLY (adjective / adverb)
definition: you arrive before the appointment time
I always arrive early for any appointments I have.
Let’s leave the house early in case the traffic is bad.
review question: see question #44
#43 ON TIME (phrase)
definition: something happens at the given time
All of my students were on time today.
My train left on time. Thank goodness!
review question: see question #44
#44 LATE (adjective / adverb)
definition: past the appointed time
I’m sorry I’m late! The traffic was crazy this morning.
I can’t believe Jessie was half and hour late and he didn’t even apologize!
review question: Are you normally early / on time / late for meetings / appointments / lessons etc.?
#45 can/can’t MAKE something (phrase)
definition: you can or can’t attend an event / meeting
Unfortunately, Marissa can’t make my birthday party. She’ll be out of town.
* “be able to” is also common – Marissa won’t be able to make my birthday party.
I don’t think we’ll be able to make our connecting flight.
review question: If you can’t make make an event, what’s the best way to inform the host?
#46 to PENCIL something IN (phrasal verb)
definition: to write something in your planner, but it’s not definite yet
I’ve penciled in Hugo’s wedding, but I’m still not sure if I can make it.
I’ve penciled in the next three Wednesdays for our lessons, but I’ll confirm this with you later.
review question: Why is it sometimes necessary to pencil in an event rather than just adding it to your planner as something definite?
#47 an INVITATION (noun)
definition: a card / email / link that invites you to join an event
Did you get the Zoom invitation I sent you?
We received a wedding invitation to Kim’s wedding.
review question: When was the last time you received an invitation by card? by email? through a link?
#48 a PLUS ONE
definition: a person you can bring with you to an event
A: Are you going to the work dinner tomorrow?
B: Definitely. What about you?
A: Yep, I’ll be there. Are you brining a plus one?
B: Yes, my boyfriend will be joining me.
review question: If you had to attend an important work event, who would be your plus one?
#49 RSVP (acronym)
*most acronyms are only seen in written English, they are not common in speaking
definition: (French) répondez s‘il vous plaît = please reply to this invitation
Please RSVP by the 22nd.
20 people have already RSVPed.
*informally RSVP can be used as a verb
review question: Do you always RSVP to an invitation? Do you use this acronym in your country?
#50 ASAP (acronym)
definition: as soon as possible / immediately / don’t wait
Call me ASAP.
We need the client’s details ASAP.
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel ASAP!
review question: Do you have an acronym like this in your language?
Thank you so much for reading! Don’t forget to join me for more free English learning content on my instagram, facebook and YouTube!
See you next time!
Arnel 🙂
