diff --git a/spec/std/file_spec.cr b/spec/std/file_spec.cr
index 24f8b292f4db..2c7d38627392 100644
--- a/spec/std/file_spec.cr
+++ b/spec/std/file_spec.cr
@@ -657,6 +657,28 @@ describe "File" do
       end
       File.delete(filename)
     end
+
+    it "can create a new file in append mode" do
+      filename = Tempfile.tempname
+      begin
+        File.write(filename, "hello", mode: "a")
+        File.read(filename).should eq("hello")
+      ensure
+        File.delete(filename)
+      end
+    end
+
+    it "can append to an existing file" do
+      filename = Tempfile.tempname
+      begin
+        File.write(filename, "hello")
+        File.read(filename).should eq("hello")
+        File.write(filename, " world", mode: "a")
+        File.read(filename).should eq("hello world")
+      ensure
+        File.delete(filename)
+      end
+    end
   end
 
   it "does to_s" do
diff --git a/src/file.cr b/src/file.cr
index b077ee36833a..ce6a4a1d06b5 100644
--- a/src/file.cr
+++ b/src/file.cr
@@ -664,18 +664,23 @@ class File < IO::FileDescriptor
 
   # Write the given *content* to *filename*.
   #
-  # An existing file will be overwritten, else a file will be created.
+  # The *mode* parameter can be used to change the file's `open` mode, e.g. to `"a"` for appending.
+  #
+  # By default, an existing file will be overwritten.
+  #
+  # *filename* will be created if it does not already exist.
   #
   # ```
   # File.write("foo", "bar")
+  # File.write("foo", "baz", mode: "a")
   # ```
   #
   # NOTE: If the content is a `Slice(UInt8)`, those bytes will be written.
   # If it's an `IO`, all bytes from the `IO` will be written.
   # Otherwise, the string representation of *content* will be written
   # (the result of invoking `to_s` on *content*).
-  def self.write(filename, content, perm = DEFAULT_CREATE_MODE, encoding = nil, invalid = nil)
-    open(filename, "w", perm, encoding: encoding, invalid: invalid) do |file|
+  def self.write(filename, content, perm = DEFAULT_CREATE_MODE, encoding = nil, invalid = nil, mode = "w")
+    open(filename, mode, perm, encoding: encoding, invalid: invalid) do |file|
       case content
       when Bytes
         file.write(content)