verb
dissipate
DIH-sih-payt
Dissipate (verb) means to gradually scatter or disappear. Example: “The morning fog dissipated as the sun rose.”
verb
1
To gradually scatter or disappear.
"The morning fog dissipated as the sun rose."
"Tension in the room slowly dissipated once he apologized."
2
To waste or squander resources, money, or energy.
"He dissipated his inheritance on gambling within a few years."
How to use dissipate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo slowly disappear or spread out, or to waste something like money or energy.
Common pairings
dissipate energy
fog dissipates
dissipate one's fortune
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- dissipates
- Past tense
- dissipated
- Comparative
- more dissipate
- Superlative
- most dissipate
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The morning fog _____ as the sun rose.
Etymology
From Latin dissipare, "to scatter, disperse," from dis- ("apart") + supare/supō ("to throw").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for dissipate
See all rhymes for dissipate →Frequently asked questions
What does “dissipate” mean?
The word “dissipate” means to gradually scatter or disappear. In plain terms, to slowly disappear or spread out, or to waste something like money or energy.
How do you pronounce “dissipate”?
“Dissipate” is pronounced DIH-sih-payt (/ˈdɪsɪpeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “dissipate” in a sentence?
Here is “dissipate” used in a sentence: “The morning fog dissipated as the sun rose.”
What part of speech is “dissipate”?
“Dissipate” is a verb.
Where does the word “dissipate” come from?
The word “dissipate” comes from Latin. From Latin dissipare, "to scatter, disperse," from dis- ("apart") + supare/supō ("to throw").
How many meanings does “dissipate” have?
“Dissipate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to gradually scatter or disappear.