verb
Uncommon
dispose
dih-SPOHZ
Dispose (verb) means to get rid of something (usually with 'of'). Example: “Please dispose of your litter in the bins provided.”
verb
1
To get rid of something (usually with 'of').
"Please dispose of your litter in the bins provided."
"The company disposed of its older equipment before the move."
"Old batteries should be disposed of safely at the recycling centre."
2
To arrange or place things in a particular order.
"The general disposed his troops along the ridge."
"The gardener disposed the flowerpots in neat rows along the terrace wall."
"The curator disposed the paintings so that visitors saw the oldest ones first."
3
To make someone inclined or willing to feel or act a certain way.
"A good night's sleep disposed her to be more patient that morning."
"His kind words disposed me to forgive him at once."
"The warm welcome disposed the visitors to listen with open minds."
How to use dispose
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo get rid of something, arrange things, or make someone inclined toward a feeling.
Common pairings
dispose of waste
well disposed
dispose of an item
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- disposes
- Past tense
- disposed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Please _____ of your litter in the bins provided.
Etymology
Borrowed from French disposer, ultimately from Latin disponere, "to arrange."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for dispose
See all rhymes for dispose →Frequently asked questions
What does “dispose” mean?
The word “dispose” means to get rid of something (usually with 'of'). In plain terms, to get rid of something, arrange things, or make someone inclined toward a feeling.
How do you pronounce “dispose”?
“Dispose” is pronounced dih-SPOHZ (/dɪsˈpoʊz/ in IPA).
How do you use “dispose” in a sentence?
Here is “dispose” used in a sentence: “Please dispose of your litter in the bins provided.”
What is another word for “dispose”?
Words with a similar meaning to “dispose” include incline and discard.
What is the opposite of “dispose”?
The opposite of “dispose” — its antonyms — are indispose and disincline.
What part of speech is “dispose”?
“Dispose” is a verb.
Where does the word “dispose” come from?
The word “dispose” comes from Latin. Borrowed from French disposer, ultimately from Latin disponere, "to arrange.".
Is “dispose” a common word?
“Dispose” is an uncommon word in modern English.
