English Reference
noun

dismissal

n.
US /dɪsˈmɪsəɫ/ UK /dɪsmˈɪsəl/ dis·missal UK spelling dismissal's, dismissal's

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Law

    the act of officially telling someone they no longer have a job.

    the termination of an individual's employment by an employer. Often used in legal contexts regarding 'unfair dismissal'.

    Simple

    He is appealing against his unfair dismissal from the company.

    In context

    The tribunal ruled that the summary dismissal was procedurally flawed, as the employee had not been granted a formal hearing.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Academic

    deciding that something is not important or not worth thinking about.

    the act of treating something as unworthy of serious consideration.

    Simple

    Her quick dismissal of my suggestion was quite hurtful.

    In context

    The critic's casual dismissal of the novel as 'juvenile' ignored the complex political allegories woven throughout the text.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced TechnicalFormal Law

    a judge's decision to stop a legal case or charge.

    a court order or judgment that terminates a lawsuit or legal proceeding without a full trial on the merits.

    Simple

    The lawyer moved for a dismissal of all charges due to lack of evidence.

    In context

    The judge granted a dismissal with prejudice, meaning the plaintiff cannot file another lawsuit on the same grounds.

  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate

    the act of giving people permission to leave a place, like a classroom or a meeting.

    the act of ordering or allowing a group to depart or disperse.

    Simple

    The students waited for the teacher's signal for dismissal.

    In context

    Following the final briefing, the commander gave the order for dismissal, and the troops returned to their barracks.

  5. 05 C2 Proficiency TechnicalBritish English Sport

    the moment when a player in cricket is forced to stop batting and leave the field.

    the event of a batsman being given out, resulting in the end of their individual innings.

    Simple

    The bowler celebrated the dismissal of the team's best player.

    In context

    The replay confirmed that the dismissal was valid, as the ball had clearly struck the wicket before the batsman reached the crease.

The trip follows Netanyahu’s public dismissal of a 15-point plan under which Hamas had agreed to hand its weapons to a new Palestinian governing committee.

Al Jazeera· 16 Aug 2026

Huddersfield’s summer signing Derensili Sanches Fernandes struck twice as they beat AFC Wimbledon 3-0 at home despite the first-half dismissal of Bali Mumba.

The Guardian· 15 Aug 2026
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated