What is dismiss? Pronunciation and usage in English

dismiss means . Learn how to pronounce and use dismiss through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of dismiss

dismissverb

/dɪsˈmɪs/
Definition & pronunciation of dismiss

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "dismiss" in English. Here's a breakdown of the sounds and a few different ways to approach it:

1. The Core Sounds:

  • di - pronounced like "dee" (as in "deep")
  • miss - pronounced like "miss" (as in "missed")
  • s - pronounced like a sharp "s" sound, like in "sun"

2. Putting it Together:

When you combine them, it sounds like: "dih-miss"

3. Emphasis & Nuances:

  • Emphasis: The primary stress is usually on the first syllable: "dih-miss".
  • The "s" sound: Make sure the "s" sound at the end is clear and distinct. Don't let it slide into a "z" sound.
  • Flow: Try to link the syllables smoothly together.

4. Listen to Examples:

The best way to learn is to hear it! Here are some resources:

Tips for Practice:

  • Say it slowly at first: Focus on getting each syllable right.
  • Record yourself: Listen back to identify areas where you can improve.
  • Repeat: Like anything, repetition helps.

Do you want me to:

  • Break down the pronunciation further (e.g., how the vowels are pronounced)?
  • Give you some example sentences to practice with?

Usage and examples with the word dismiss in English

The word "dismiss" has several different uses in English, all revolving around the idea of ending something or sending someone away. Here's a breakdown of how to use it, categorized by meaning:

1. To End a Meeting or Class (Most Common)

  • Meaning: To bring a meeting, class, or other gathering to an end.
  • Example: "The professor dismissed the class early because of the rain."
  • Example: "We were dismissed from the meeting after an hour."
  • Phrases: dismiss the meeting, dismiss the class

2. To Send Someone Away (Formal)

  • Meaning: To formally order someone to leave. This is a more forceful and often official usage.
  • Example: "The police dismissed him from the station after he refused to cooperate."
  • Example: "The board of directors dismissed the CEO." (meaning “fired”)
  • Synonyms: discharge, terminate, evict

3. To Reject or Disregard Something (Informal)

  • Meaning: To consider something unimportant, silly, or unworthy of attention.
  • Example: "Don't dismiss his ideas as naive; they might be worth exploring."
  • Example: "I dismissed his concerns as being overly dramatic."
  • Synonyms: disregard, brush aside, ignore

4. To Quickly Decide or Reject (Informal)

  • Meaning: To make a quick judgement, often negatively.
  • Example: “I dismissed the argument immediately – it had no basis in fact.”
  • Example: “She dismissed him from her mind.”

Key Points & Tips:

  • Formality: “Dismiss” is generally more formal than words like “stop” or “end.”
  • Context is Crucial: The meaning of "dismiss" depends heavily on the context.
  • Synonyms: Be aware of synonyms to help you choose the best word for your sentence.

Here's a table summarizing the different meanings:

Meaning Example
End a meeting/class "The teacher dismissed the students."
Send someone away "The company dismissed him from his job."
Reject/Disregard “Don’t dismiss her effort.”
Quick negative judgment “I dismissed the proposal as flawed.”

To help me give you even more specific advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to write about? (e.g., a classroom, a workplace, a social situation?)
  • What is the specific nuance you're trying to convey with the word "dismiss"?

Synonyms for the word dismiss

Practice with vocabulary dismiss

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The board decided to _______ the CEO's proposal as too ambitious for the current economic climate.
  2. After the emergency meeting, the chairperson quickly _______ the attendees, encouraging them to return to their duties.
  3. Despite receiving numerous negative reviews, the company chose to _______ the product line, believing in its long-term potential.
  4. The legal team needed to _______ a detailed brief outlining the key arguments for the upcoming trial.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of the following actions might a company take when an employee is found guilty of severe misconduct? a) demote b) suspend c) dismiss d) terminate e) transfer

  2. When a person completely ignores or rejects a piece of advice or an idea, they might ______ it. a) consider b) accept c) dismiss d) embrace e) disregard

  3. Which word is often used in legal contexts when a judge decides to stop a court case without a final verdict due to insufficient evidence or procedural errors? a) adjourn b) dismiss c) appeal d) postpone e) litigate

  4. Before implementing the new policy, the management decided to _______ the potential impacts through a pilot program. a) assess b) evaluate c) overlook d) disregard e) neglect

  5. The architect advised the client to _______ the building's original structural integrity during renovation. a) demolish b) alter c) preserve d) maintain e) abandon

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The committee decided not to take seriously the minor complaints received about the new system.

    • (Rewrite using "dismiss")

  2. The judge ruled to end the court case due to a lack of substantial evidence presented by the prosecution.

    • (Rewrite using "dismiss")

  3. The marketing team decided to delay the launch of the new product until next quarter.

    • (Rewrite without using "dismiss")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The board decided to dismiss the CEO's proposal as too ambitious for the current economic climate.
  2. After the emergency meeting, the chairperson quickly dismissed the attendees, encouraging them to return to their duties.
  3. Despite receiving numerous negative reviews, the company chose to maintain the product line, believing in its long-term potential.
  4. The legal team needed to prepare a detailed brief outlining the key arguments for the upcoming trial.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) dismiss, d) terminate
  2. c) dismiss, e) disregard
  3. b) dismiss
  4. a) assess, b) evaluate
  5. c) preserve, d) maintain

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The committee decided to dismiss the minor complaints received about the new system.
  2. The judge ruled to dismiss the court case due to a lack of substantial evidence presented by the prosecution.
  3. The marketing team decided to postpone the launch of the new product until next quarter.

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