Home
/ Dictionary
/ Dispose of

Dispose of: meaning, definitions and examples

🗑️

Add to dictionary

dispose of

[ dɪˈspoʊz ʌv ]

Verb

^{Context #1 | Verb}

waste management

To get rid of something no longer needed or wanted, especially in a proper or safe way. This can include throwing away, recycling, or donating items.

Synonyms

discard, dispose, eliminate, remove, throw away.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
dispose of	Formal context, often used in written instructions or legal documents when referring to getting rid of something carefully or in a specific manner. Please dispose of the waste in the designated containers. The company must dispose of toxic chemicals according to regulations.
discard	General usage, a slightly less formal way of saying that something is no longer needed or wanted and should be thrown away. You can discard these old magazines. I decided to discard the broken chair.
eliminate	Often used when completely getting rid of something, sometimes in competitive or problem-solving contexts. Can have a negative connotation if referring to removing people or entities. The goal is to eliminate all errors in the software. They decided to eliminate that position in the company.
remove	General usage, focusing on taking something away from a position or place, not necessarily throwing it away. Please remove your shoes before entering. We need to remove this stain from the carpet.
dispose	Formal and somewhat ambiguous as it can mean to arrange or to get rid of, typically followed by 'of' to specify the action of throwing away. It's important to dispose of waste properly. He needs to dispose of those old documents.
throw away	Informal and common in everyday speech, used when referring to getting rid of something by putting it in the trash. Just throw away those old clothes. I accidentally threw away the receipt.

Examples of usage

Please dispose of your trash in the designated bins.
It is important to dispose of electronic waste responsibly.
The company hired a professional service to dispose of the hazardous materials.
The government encourages citizens to dispose of old medications properly.
I need to dispose of these old documents securely.

Translations

Translations of the word "dispose of" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desfazer-se de

🇮🇳 से छुटकारा पाना

🇩🇪 entsorgen

🇮🇩 membuang

🇺🇦 позбутися

🇵🇱 pozbyć się

🇯🇵 処分する (しょぶんする)

🇫🇷 se débarrasser de

🇪🇸 deshacerse de

🇹🇷 kurtulmak

🇰🇷 처리하다

🇸🇦 التخلص من

🇨🇿 zbavit se

🇸🇰 zbaviť sa

🇨🇳 处置 (chǔzhì)

🇸🇮 znebiti se

🇮🇸 losna við

🇰🇿 құтылу

🇬🇪 მოშორება

🇦🇿 qurtulmaq

🇲🇽 deshacerse de

Etymology

The word 'dispose of' originated from Middle English 'disposen', from Old French 'disposer', from Latin 'disponere' meaning 'to distribute, arrange'. The sense 'get rid of' dates back to the late 16th century.