dispense
dih-SPEHNS
Dispense (verb) means to give out or distribute something, especially in measured amounts. Example: “The machine dispenses hot drinks at the push of a button.”
verb
1
To give out or distribute something, especially in measured amounts.
"The machine dispenses hot drinks at the push of a button."
"Pharmacists dispense medication according to a doctor's prescription."
2
To do without something, or get rid of the need for it (used with 'with').
"Let's dispense with the formalities and get straight to business."
How to use dispense
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo hand something out, or (with "with") to skip something unnecessary.
Common mistake
"Dispense with" means to do away with something, not to give it out — the opposite of the plain sense of "dispense."
Common pairings
dispense advice
dispense with formalities
dispense medication
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Word forms
- Plural
- dispenses
- Third person singular
- dispenses
- Past tense
- dispensed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The machine _____ hot drinks at the push of a button.
Etymology
From Old French dispenser, from Latin dispensare, "to weigh out, distribute, manage" — from dis- ("apart") + pendere ("to weigh").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for dispense
See all rhymes for dispense →Frequently asked questions
What does “dispense” mean?
The word “dispense” means to give out or distribute something, especially in measured amounts. In plain terms, to hand something out, or (with "with") to skip something unnecessary.
How do you pronounce “dispense”?
“Dispense” is pronounced dih-SPEHNS (/dɪˈspɛns/ in IPA).
How do you use “dispense” in a sentence?
Here is “dispense” used in a sentence: “The machine dispenses hot drinks at the push of a button.”
What part of speech is “dispense”?
“Dispense” is a verb.
Where does the word “dispense” come from?
The word “dispense” comes from Latin. From Old French dispenser, from Latin dispensare, "to weigh out, distribute, manage" — from dis- ("apart") + pendere ("to weigh").
Is “dispense” a common word?
“Dispense” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “dispense” have?
“Dispense” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to give out or distribute something, especially in measured amounts.
