noun/verb · neutral
commission
/kəˈmɪʃən/com·MIS·sion
to formally ask an artist to create a work (verb); a task given or fee paid (noun)
Examples
“The city commissioned a mural to celebrate its anniversary.”
“She earns a commission on every sale.”
“The gallery commissioned several site-specific installations.”
Band 8 sentence
“The council commissioned a public artwork as part of an urban regeneration strategy to both celebrate local history and stimulate foot traffic.”
Collocations
- commission an artist
- a government commission
- earn a commission
Word family
Common mistakes
The museum commission him paint a portrait.→The museum commissioned him to paint a portrait.
He got a commission for the painting (= he paid someone).→He got a commission for the painting (= he was paid a fee) / He commissioned a painting (if he ordered it).
Say it for a higher band
5order→6hire→7+commission
Synonyms
order
Easily confused
order
“The council ordered a feasibility study, but the arts commission commissioned the sculpture.”
Related words
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In Art & Culture
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