noun
Uncommon
dismissal
dihs-MIH-suh
Dismissal (noun) means the act of firing someone from their job. Example: “His dismissal came as a shock to the whole department.”
noun
1
The act of firing someone from their job.
"His dismissal came as a shock to the whole department."
"The manager's dismissal followed months of complaints from customers."
"She took her dismissal to a tribunal, claiming it was unfair."
2
The rejection of a legal case, claim, or idea.
"The judge ordered the dismissal of the charges due to lack of evidence."
"The lawyer was pleased by the quick dismissal of the claim against her client."
"His casual dismissal of my suggestion made me feel I had wasted everyone's time."
How to use dismissal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing let go from a job, or having a claim or case thrown out.
Common pairings
wrongful dismissal
summary dismissal
dismissal of the case
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Word forms
- Plural
- dismissals
Fill the gap
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His _____ came as a shock to the whole department.
Etymology
Formed from dismiss + -al in the nineteenth century, on the same pattern as "committal," eventually replacing the older word "dismission."
Class of 1800
dismissal joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “dismissal” mean?
The word “dismissal” means the act of firing someone from their job. In plain terms, being let go from a job, or having a claim or case thrown out.
How do you pronounce “dismissal”?
“Dismissal” is pronounced dihs-MIH-suh ([dɪsˈmɪsəɫ] in IPA).
How do you use “dismissal” in a sentence?
Here is “dismissal” used in a sentence: “His dismissal came as a shock to the whole department.”
What part of speech is “dismissal”?
“Dismissal” is a noun.
Where does the word “dismissal” come from?
The word “dismissal” dates back to around 1800. Formed from dismiss + -al in the nineteenth century, on the same pattern as "committal," eventually replacing the older word "dismission.".
Is “dismissal” a common word?
“Dismissal” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “dismissal” have?
“Dismissal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of firing someone from their job.
What is the difference between dismissal and resignation?
Dismissal means an employer ends someone's employment, often against the employee's wishes. Resignation is the opposite: the employee voluntarily chooses to leave the job.
What is the difference between dismissal and termination?
Dismissal and termination are often used interchangeably to describe the act of firing someone from a job. In legal and HR contexts, dismissal can also more specifically refer to the rejection of a case or claim, a meaning termination does not typically carry.
How is dismissal used in a legal context?
In legal usage, a dismissal refers to the rejection of a case, claim, or lawsuit by a court, meaning it will not proceed further. This is distinct from the employment sense, though both involve formally ending something.
