¹dispose

verb dis·pose \di-ˈspōz\

: to cause (someone) to be likely to do or have something

: to put (someone or something) in a particular position or place

dis·poseddis·pos·ing

Full Definition of DISPOSE

transitive verb

: to give a tendency to : incline <faulty diet disposes one to sickness>

a : to put in place : set in readiness : arrange <disposing troops for withdrawal>

b obsolete : regulate

c : bestow

intransitive verb

: to settle a matter finally

obsolete : to come to terms

— dis·pos·er noun

— dispose of

: to place, distribute, or arrange especially in an orderly way

a : to transfer to the control of another <disposing of personal property to a total stranger>

b (1) : to get rid of <how to dispose of toxic waste> (2) : to deal with conclusively <disposed of the matter efficiently>

See dispose defined for English-language learners

See dispose defined for kids

Origin of DISPOSE

Middle English, from Anglo-French desposer, from Latin disponere to arrange (perfect indicative disposui), from dis- + ponere to put — more at position

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DISPOSE

Synonyms: depose, deposit, place, emplace, fix, lay, position, put, set, set up, situate, stick

Antonyms: derange, disarrange, disarray, disorder, mess (up), muss (up), rumple, upset

Synonym Discussion of DISPOSE

incline, bias, dispose, predispose mean to influence one to have or take an attitude toward something. incline implies a tendency to favor one of two or more actions or conclusions <I incline to agree>. bias suggests a settled and predictable leaning in one direction and connotes unfair prejudice <the experience biased him against foreigners>. dispose suggests an affecting of one's mood or temper so as to incline one toward something <her nature disposes her to trust others>. predispose implies the operation of a disposing influence well in advance of the opportunity to manifest itself <does fictional violence predispose them to accept real violence?>.

Rhymes with DISPOSE

appose, bluenose, brownnose, compose, depose, dextrose, disclose, dog rose, enclose, expose, foreclose, fructose, glucose, hardnose, impose, Montrose, moss rose, musk rose, old rose, oppose, primrose, propose, pug nose, repose, rockrose, suppose, transpose, tuberose, unclose, viscose, wind rose

²dispose

noun

Definition of DISPOSE

obsolete : disposal

obsolete

a : disposition

b : demeanor

First Known Use of DISPOSE

1590

DISPOSING Defined for Kids

dispose

verb dis·pose \dis-ˈpōz\

dis·poseddis·pos·ing

Definition of DISPOSE for Kids

: to put in place : arrange <Campsites were disposed around the lake.>

— dispose of

: to finish with <The matter was quickly disposed of.>

: to get rid of <Please dispose of trash properly.>

Learn More About DISPOSE

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "dispose"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "dispose"

Nglish: Translation of "dispose" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "dispose" for Arabic speakers

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