Dismiss
/dɪsˈmɪs/
verbB2
Definition
Dismiss means to refuse to accept or consider something, like an idea or a feeling, because you think it is not important or not correct. It can also mean to officially remove someone from a job or tell them to leave a place.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
To refuse to accept or consider something
- •She dismissed his opinion as unimportant.
- •The manager dismissed the suggestion quickly.
- •Don't dismiss your feelings; they are real.
To officially remove someone from a job or position
- •The company dismissed the worker for being late.
- •He was dismissed from school for bad behavior.
To tell someone to leave a place
- •The teacher dismissed the class early.
- •After the meeting, they were dismissed to go home.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "dismiss" like "say no" or "ignore" (A1 words), but more formal and stronger—it means you stop thinking about it or you send it away.
- ✓Picture a teacher telling a student to leave the classroom or a judge saying an idea has no value.
- ✓It's the feeling when someone does not listen to your opinion because they think it is not good or important.
- ✓Sounds like "this miss" → imagine missing or throwing away something because you do not want it.
- ✓Think of a story where a boss fires an employee or a person ignores a rumor because it is not true.
- ✓NOT like "accept" (to agree or allow), dismiss means to refuse or reject.
- ✓NOT like "ignore" (just not paying attention), dismiss means actively deciding something has no value.
- ✓NOT like "fire" (only for jobs), dismiss can also mean to reject ideas or feelings.
- ✓NOT like "send away" (could be gentle), dismiss can be official or final.
Try Other Words
- •Ignore: to pay no attention to something (Use when you do not notice or do not want to deal with something, but it is less formal)
- •Fire: to remove someone from a job (Use only for jobs, especially informal or everyday language)
- •Refuse: to say no to something (Use when you do not accept an offer or request)
- •Send away: to tell someone to leave (Use when you want to emphasize physically leaving a place)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "dis-" (not, opposite) + root "miss" (from Latin mittere, meaning to send)
- •Etymology: From Latin "dīmittere," meaning to send away or let go
- •Historical development: First used in English in the 15th century meaning to send away or reject
- •Modern usage: Used in many contexts to mean rejecting ideas, feelings, or people, or officially removing someone from a position
Reflect & Connect
•When is it okay to dismiss someone's opinion, and when should we listen carefully instead?
•How does dismissing someone affect their feelings and relationships?
Fill in the blanks
1.The judge dismissed the case because there was not enough ___ to continue.
2.She dismissed his concerns as ___, but later realized they were important.
3.After the argument, the teacher ___ the students to leave the classroom quietly.
4.The company dismissed the employee due to repeated ___.
5.It is rude to dismiss someone's feelings without trying to ___ them.
6.When you dismiss an idea too quickly, you might miss a ___ opportunity.
7.The manager did not just ignore the problem; she actively ___ it as unimportant.