Expel
/ɪkˈspɛl/
verbB2
Definition
Expel means to officially make someone leave a school, club, or country. It is usually done because the person broke rules or behaved badly. It can also mean to push something out from inside a place or body.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
To force someone to leave a place or group as punishment
- •The school decided to expel the student for cheating.
- •He was expelled from the club after breaking the rules.
- •The government may expel foreign diplomats for spying.
To push something out from inside
- •The body expels waste through the digestive system.
- •The machine expels hot air during operation.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "expel" like "send away," but stronger and official—it is not a choice, it is a forced action.
- ✓Picture a student being told to leave the classroom and not come back because of bad behavior.
- ✓It's the feeling of being removed or kicked out, which can feel sad or serious.
- ✓Sounds like "ex-PEL" → imagine pushing something out with a strong "PEL" (push) sound.
- ✓Think of stories where a wizard is expelled from a magic school for breaking rules.
- ✓NOT like "leave" (which can be voluntary), "expel" means someone else forces you to go.
- ✓NOT like "remove" (which can be gentle or for objects), "expel" is often about people or living things being forced out.
- ✓NOT like "dismiss" (which can mean ending a meeting), "expel" means kicking out permanently or seriously.
Try Other Words
- •Remove: to take away or make someone leave (Use when the action is less formal or not a punishment)
- •Dismiss: to officially end someone's position or role (Use when ending a job or role, not necessarily forcing physical leaving)
- •Oust: to force someone out of a position or place (Use when force is involved, often in politics or power situations)
- •Exclude: to keep someone out or not allow in (Use when preventing entry, not necessarily forcing someone to leave)
Unboxing
- •Prefix: "ex-" means "out" or "away"
- •Root: "pel" comes from Latin "pellere," meaning "to drive" or "push"
- •Etymology: From Latin "expellere," meaning "to drive out"
- •Historical development: Used since the 15th century to mean forcing someone out of a place or group
- •Modern usage: Common in schools, organizations, politics, and biology (pushing something out)
Reflect & Connect
•How does being expelled affect a person's feelings and future opportunities?
•Can you think of situations where expelling someone is necessary, and when it might be unfair?
Fill in the blanks
1.The school will expel a student if they ___ the rules seriously.
2.When someone is expelled, it means they are forced to ___ the group or place.
3.Unlike "leave," expel means the person does not go ___ but is pushed out.
4.The body can expel waste to keep itself ___.
5.The government decided to expel the diplomat because of ___ activities.
6.Machines often expel heat or air to ___ properly.
7.Being expelled from school can make it hard to ___ to another school.