# dispose

/dɪˈspoʊz/ (US) · /dɪspˈəʊz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dispose
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to get rid of

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to throw something away or get rid of it, especially something you no longer want or need.

For teachers: to get rid of or eliminate something. This sense is almost always used with the preposition 'of'.

- The company must find a safe way to dispose of its chemical waste.
- The hospital follows strict protocols to dispose of biological hazards, ensuring that no contaminated materials enter the local water supply.

Usage: Always takes the preposition 'of' when meaning to discard something.

Teaching tip: This is the most common modern use of the word. Students often forget the 'of'.

### 2. to arrange

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal · Literary

to put things in a particular order or position.

For teachers: to distribute or arrange items in a particular order or position. Transitive use.

- The soldiers were disposed along the river to guard the bridge.
- The interior designer disposed the furniture in a way that maximised natural light while maintaining a clear path to the balcony.

Usage: Used as a transitive verb without 'of'.

Teaching tip: This sense is quite formal and often appears in military or artistic descriptions.

### 3. to incline or influence

verb · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

to make someone feel a certain way or have a particular opinion.

For teachers: to make someone liable or inclined to a certain attitude, action, or condition.

- Her friendly manner disposed me to like her immediately.
- A lack of sleep can dispose a person to making poor decisions during high-stakes negotiations.

Usage: Often used in the passive voice ('be disposed to') or with a direct object and a 'to' infinitive.

Teaching tip: In academic writing, 'predispose' is often used as a more specific alternative for medical or psychological contexts.

## Examples

- Please dispose of your trash in the bins provided.
- The hospital must follow strict safety rules to dispose of medical waste properly.
- The corporation was forced to dispose of its overseas assets to cover the mounting debts incurred during the failed merger.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.