dispense
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.”
How to use dispense
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo hand something out, or (with "with") to skip something unnecessary.
"Dispense with" means to do away with something, not to give it out — the opposite of the plain sense of "dispense."
Word forms
dispensed past tense, dispenses plural, dispenses singular
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
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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.