First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1appeal
noun ap·peal \ə-ˈpēl\
: a quality that causes people to like someone or something
: a serious request for help, support, etc.
: an attempt to make someone do or accept something as right or proper by saying things that are directed at a person's feelings, attitudes, etc.
Full Definition of APPEAL
1
: a legal proceeding by which a case is brought before a higher court for review of the decision of a lower court
2
: a criminal accusation
3
a : an application (as to a recognized authority) for corroboration, vindication, or decision b : an earnest plea : entreaty <an appeal for help> c : an organized request for donations <the annual appeal>
4
: the power of arousing a sympathetic response : attraction <movies had a great appeal for him>
See appeal defined for English-language learners
See appeal defined for kids
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Origin of APPEAL
Middle English appel, from Anglo-French apel, from apeler
Related to APPEAL
- Synonyms
- adjuration, plea, conjuration, cry, desire, entreaty, petition, pleading, prayer, solicitation, suit, suppliance, supplication
- Antonyms
- repulsion, repulsiveness
Other Legal Terms
Rhymes with APPEAL
aiguille, all-wheel, anneal, big deal, big wheel, bilge keel, bonemeal, bonspiel, cam wheel, Castile, cartwheel, chainwheel, chenille, cogwheel, conceal, congeal, cornmeal, done deal, eared seal, enwheel, fifth wheel, fish meal, flywheel, forefeel, for real, four-wheel, freewheel, fur seal, genteel, get real, good deal, great seal, handwheel, harp seal, ideal, inchmeal, mild steel, mill wheel, misdeal, mobile, Mobile, monk seal, mouthfeel, New Deal, newsreel, nosewheel, oatmeal, O'Neal, pastille, piecemeal, pinwheel, prayer wheel, raw deal, repeal, reveal, schlemiel, self-heal, side-wheel, singspiel, somedeal, spike heel, stabile, tahsil, Tar Heel, thumbwheel, unreel, unseal, worm wheel
2appeal
verb
: to be liked by someone : to be pleasing or attractive to someone
: to ask for something (such as help or support) in a serious way
: to try to make someone do or accept something as right or proper by saying things that are directed at a person's feelings, attitudes, etc.
Full Definition of APPEAL
transitive verb
1
: to charge with a crime : accuse
2
: to take proceedings to have (a lower court's decision) reviewed in a higher court
intransitive verb
1
: to take a lower court's decision to a higher court for review
2
: to call upon another for corroboration, vindication, or decision
3
: to make an earnest request <appealed to them for help>
4
: to arouse a sympathetic response <that idea appeals to him>
— ap·peal·abil·i·ty \-ˌpē-lə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
— ap·peal·able \-ˈpē-lə-bəl\ adjective
— ap·peal·er noun
See appeal defined for English-language learners
Origin of APPEAL
Middle English appelen to accuse, appeal, from Anglo-French apeler, literally, to call, summon, from Latin appellare, from appellere to drive to, from ad- + pellere to drive — more at felt
First Known Use: 14th century
APPEAL Defined for Kids
1appeal
noun ap·peal \ə-ˈpēl\
Definition of APPEAL for Kids
1
: the power to cause enjoyment : attraction <the appeal of music>
2
: the act of asking for something badly needed or wanted : plea <an appeal for funds>
3
: a legal action by which a case is brought to a higher court for review
2appeal
verb
ap·pealedap·peal·ing
Definition of APPEAL for Kids
1
: to be pleasing or attractive <… the thought of eating raw fish didn't appeal to me. — Theodore Taylor, The Cay>
2
: to ask for something badly needed or wanted <They appealed to the boss for more money.>
3
: to take action to have a case or decision reviewed by a higher court
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