ENGLISH
REFERENCE

exemption

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ɪɡˈzɛmpʃən// UK //ɛɡzˈɛmpʃən// ex·emp·tion

n. special permission to not follow a rule or pay a cost that others must follow. You usually get this because of your specific situation or status.

n. the state of being free from an obligation, duty, or liability to which others are subject. Often refers to legal, financial, or regulatory requirements.


SIMPLE

He applied for a tax exemption because he works for a charity.

CONTEXTUAL

The university granted her an exemption from the introductory course because she had already studied the material abroad.

COMPLEX

Securing a religious exemption from certain workplace mandates requires demonstrating that the belief is sincerely held and central to the individual's life.

Synonyms
Origin

From Old French exemption, from Latin exemptiō, from eximō, equivalent to exempt + -ion.

Usage

Countable when referring to a specific instance or document; uncountable when referring to the general state of being exempt. Often takes the preposition 'from'.

Pitfall

an exemption of the rulesan exemption from the rulesExemption is typically followed by the preposition 'from' to indicate the rule or duty being avoided.

© 2026 English Reference