adj
Common
exempt
ihg-ZEHMPT
Exempt (adj) means not required to do, pay, or follow something that otherwise applies. Example: “Charities are exempt from certain taxes.”
adj
1
Not required to do, pay, or follow something that otherwise applies.
"Charities are exempt from certain taxes."
"She was exempt from the exam due to her top grades all year."
"Medical staff are exempt from the travel rule because their work is urgent."
verb
1
To officially free someone from an obligation.
"The new rule exempts small businesses from the reporting requirement."
"The school exempts pupils with a medical note from the swimming lessons."
"The government decided to exempt young drivers from the new fee."
How to use exempt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFree from a rule, duty, or payment that applies to others.
Common pairings
tax-exempt
exempt from
exempt employee
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Word forms
- Plural
- exempts
- Third person singular
- exempts
- Past tense
- exempted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Charities are _____ from certain taxes.
Etymology
From Latin exemptus, past participle of eximere, "to take out, remove."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
nonexempt
enforce
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “exempt” mean?
The word “exempt” means not required to do, pay, or follow something that otherwise applies. In plain terms, free from a rule, duty, or payment that applies to others.
How do you pronounce “exempt”?
“Exempt” is pronounced ihg-ZEHMPT (/ɪɡˈzɛmpt/ in IPA).
How do you use “exempt” in a sentence?
Here is “exempt” used in a sentence: “Charities are exempt from certain taxes.”
What part of speech is “exempt”?
Depending on how it is used, “exempt” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “exempt” come from?
The word “exempt” comes from Latin. From Latin exemptus, past participle of eximere, "to take out, remove.".
Is “exempt” a common word?
“Exempt” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “exempt” have?
“Exempt” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not required to do, pay, or follow something that otherwise applies.
What is the difference between exempt and excluded?
Exempt means someone is not required to do, pay, or follow something that otherwise applies, while excluded means someone or something is kept out or left out of consideration entirely. A person can be exempt from a tax while still being counted as part of the taxpayer group.
How is exempt used as a verb versus an adjective?
As an adjective, exempt describes someone or something not required to follow a rule, as in "exempt employees." As a verb, exempt means to officially free someone from an obligation, as in "the law exempts small businesses from the requirement."
What word usually follows exempt in a sentence?
Exempt is typically followed by "from," as in "exempt from tax" or "exempt from military service," to specify the obligation someone is freed from.
