adjective
dismissive
dihs-MIHS-ihv
Dismissive (adjective) means showing that you consider something not worth serious attention. Example: “He gave a dismissive wave of his hand and walked off.”
adjective
1
Showing that you consider something not worth serious attention.
"He gave a dismissive wave of his hand and walked off."
How to use dismissive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishActing like something or someone doesn't deserve your attention or respect.
Common pairings
dismissive attitude
dismissive of
dismissive tone
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more dismissive
- Superlative
- most dismissive
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He gave a _____ wave of his hand and walked off.
Etymology
From dismiss plus the adjective-forming suffix -ive.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for dismissive
See all rhymes for dismissive →Frequently asked questions
What does “dismissive” mean?
The word “dismissive” means showing that you consider something not worth serious attention. In plain terms, acting like something or someone doesn't deserve your attention or respect.
How do you pronounce “dismissive”?
“Dismissive” is pronounced dihs-MIHS-ihv (/dɪsˈmɪs.ɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “dismissive” in a sentence?
Here is “dismissive” used in a sentence: “He gave a dismissive wave of his hand and walked off.”
What part of speech is “dismissive”?
“Dismissive” is an adjective.
