dispense
gb/dɪspˈɛns/ us/dɪspˈɛns/
B2
English
~ 9500
kioszt, kiad, gyógyszert kiad, igazságot szolgáltat, kiszab, felment, mentesít
VERB
B2
1
Usage pattern:
to dispense [something] to [someone]
The vending machine dispenses snacks and soft drinks 24 hours a day.
Az automata a nap 24 órájában ad ki rágcsálnivalókat és üdítőitalokat.
The charity dispenses food and warm clothing to the homeless every winter.
A jótékonysági szervezet minden télen élelmet és meleg ruhát oszt a hajléktalanoknak.
At the kiosk, a small machine dispenses tickets after you enter your code.
The information desk dispenses maps and brochures to visitors.
The ATM can dispense up to five hundred dollars in a single transaction.
Learner examples
This machine dispenses free water.
Ez a gép ingyen vizet ad ki.
The nurse dispenses pills to the patients every morning.
A nővér minden reggel tablettákat oszt ki a betegeknek.
The bank will not dispense cash after midnight.
The office dispenses ID cards to all new workers.
The hotel lobby dispenses free coffee for guests.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "dispense" with "spend" or "disperse." "Dispense" means to give out something (often using a machine or in an official way), while "spend" is about using money or time, and "disperse" is about people or things spreading out. Learners also mix up "dispense" and the phrasal verb "dispense with"; the latter means to do without something, not to give it out.
Meaning
Give out or distribute
Collocations
dispense cash
|dispense drinks
|dispense snacks
|dispense information
|dispense supplies
|dispense advice
Synonyms
distribute (focuses on giving things out, often to many people or places)
|
give out (more informal, everyday phrase with the same basic meaning)
|
hand out (suggests giving things directly by hand, one by one)
|
provide (more general; does not always suggest many people or small portions)
Antonyms
collect (means to gather things in, rather than give them out)
|
withhold (means to refuse to give something that could be given)
Themes
daily life
|work
|business
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
to give something, often in fixed amounts, to people who want or need it
To give or distribute something, especially in measured amounts, to one or more people.
VERB
C1
TECHNICAL
2
Usage pattern:
to dispense [medicine] to [someone]
Only licensed pharmacists are allowed to dispense these high‑risk medications.
Ezeket a nagy kockázatú gyógyszereket csak engedéllyel rendelkező gyógyszerészek adhatják ki.
The hospital pharmacy dispenses thousands of prescriptions every week.
A kórházi gyógyszertár hetente több ezer recept alapján ad ki gyógyszert.
Under the new policy, nurses can dispense a limited range of drugs directly to patients.
In rural areas, specially trained health workers dispense basic medicines to the community.
The clinic will not dispense antibiotics without a valid prescription.
Learner examples
The pharmacist dispenses my medicine every month.
A gyógyszerész minden hónapban kiadja a gyógyszeremet.
This small clinic can dispense simple drugs but not strong ones.
Ez a kis rendelő egyszerű gyógyszereket kiadhat, de erőseket nem.
You need a prescription before the doctor can tell the pharmacy to dispense it.
The hospital pharmacy dispenses medicine to many patients each day.
Only a trained person should dispense these pills.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "dispense" in medical contexts only means "give" and forget it also includes carefully measuring and checking the medicine. Another confusion is between "dispense" and "prescribe": doctors prescribe (write the order), and pharmacists dispense (prepare and give the medicine).
Meaning
Prepare and give out medicine
Collocations
dispense medication
|dispense drugs
|dispense prescriptions
|authorized to dispense
|dispense controlled substances
|dispensing pharmacist
Synonyms
fill (used in the phrase "fill a prescription"; common in everyday medical contexts)
|
supply (more general; does not focus on the careful preparation step)
|
issue (formal; often used when an institution gives out official items, including medicines)
Antonyms
withhold (to refuse to give a medicine that could be given)
|
deny (to say that someone cannot have the medicine they asked for)
Themes
health
|science
Definition
to measure, prepare, and give medicine to a patient as written by a doctor
Of a pharmacist or authorized professional, to prepare and supply a medicine according to a prescription or order.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
3
kiszab
B2
Usage pattern:
to dispense [abstract noun]
Local courts are expected to dispense justice fairly and efficiently.
A helyi bíróságoktól elvárják, hogy igazságosan és hatékonyan szolgáltassanak igazságot.
The dictator dispensed harsh punishment to anyone who opposed him.
A diktátor kemény büntetést szabott ki mindenkire, aki szembeszállt vele.
Religious leaders often dispense moral guidance to their communities.
The committee has the power to investigate complaints and dispense appropriate sanctions.
He liked to imagine himself as a wise elder, dispensing advice to younger colleagues.
Learner examples
The judge must dispense justice without fear or favor.
A bírónak részrehajlás és félelem nélkül kell igazságot szolgáltatnia.
In that country, the police sometimes dispense very hard punishment.
Abban az országban a rendőrség néha nagyon súlyos büntetést szab ki.
The teacher calmly dispensed advice to worried students.
The king could dispense mercy or punishment as he wished.
Good leaders dispense clear guidance in difficult times.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this sense with everyday objects (e.g. saying *"dispense a gift"* instead of simply "give a gift"). This formal sense is usually used with abstract nouns like "justice," "punishment," "mercy," or "advice," especially in serious or official contexts.
Meaning
Administer or apply justice
Collocations
dispense justice
|dispense punishment
|dispense mercy
|dispense wisdom
|dispense guidance
|dispense charity
Synonyms
administer (stresses carrying out or managing something official, like justice or punishment)
|
mete out (formal phrase meaning to give or assign, often with punishment or justice)
|
deal out (slightly less formal; suggests giving something like punishment or criticism)
Antonyms
ignore (to pay no attention and not apply justice or punishment)
|
overlook (to choose not to punish or judge even when there is a reason)
Themes
law
|society
Definition
to give or apply things like justice or punishment, especially when you have power or authority
To administer or apply something such as justice, punishment, or wisdom, especially in an official or authoritative way.
VERB
C2
FORMAL
4
Usage pattern:
to dispense [someone] from [a rule / duty]
The committee may dispense students from the language requirement in exceptional cases.
A bizottság kivételes esetekben felmentheti a diákokat a nyelvi követelmény alól.
For medical reasons, she was dispensed from military service.
Egészségügyi okokból felmentették a katonai szolgálat alól.
Under canon law, a bishop can dispense a person from certain religious obligations.
The university decided to dispense older applicants from the entrance exam.
Only the minister has authority to dispense you from this legal obligation.
Learner examples
Because of his health, the army dispensed him from duty.
Az egészségi állapota miatt a hadsereg felmentette a szolgálat alól.
The school can dispense some students from this exam.
Az iskola felmenthet néhány diákot a vizsga alól.
A special rule dispensed her from paying the fee.
The church leader dispensed them from fasting this year.
The law can dispense people from this tax in rare cases.
Common mistake:
Learners often try to use this sense without the preposition "from" (e.g. *"dispense him the rule"*). The usual formal pattern is "dispense someone from something." In everyday English, "exempt" is more common than this formal legal‑sounding use of "dispense."
Meaning
Exempt from a rule or duty
Collocations
dispense someone from a duty
|dispense from the obligation
|dispense from the rule
|power to dispense
|dispense with consent
Synonyms
exempt (the most direct everyday equivalent; means to free someone from a rule or duty)
|
waive (often used about giving up or not enforcing a rule, fee, or requirement)
Antonyms
enforce (to make sure a rule is followed, the opposite of freeing someone from it)
|
impose (to place a duty or requirement on someone, rather than removing it)
Themes
law
|religion
Definition
to give someone official permission not to follow a rule or duty
To officially allow someone not to follow a rule, law, or requirement that normally applies.
Grammar
Dictionary form
dispense
IPA
GB/dɪspˈɛns/
US/dɪspˈɛns/
Syllables & stress
dis - pense (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pense)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: dispense
- 3rd Person Singular: dispenses
- Present Participle: dispensing
- Past: dispensed
Word family
Forms
dispenses
verb
dispensing
verb
dispensed
verb
Core family
dispenser
noun
Related words
dispensable
adjective C1
dispensary
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
indispensable
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
dispensation
noun
Expressions
dispense with
1/dɪspˈɛns wˈɪθ/
phrasal verb
formal
Do without something unnecessary
to no longer have, use, or do something because you think it is not necessary
Examples
- Given the tight schedule, we decided to dispense with the usual introductions.
- Modern cars often dispense with a spare tire to save space and weight.
- If everyone agrees, we can dispense with a written contract and just send an email confirmation.
dispense with the formalities
1/dɪspˈɛns wˈɪθ ðə fɔɹmˈælətiz/
fixed phrase
Skip polite social rituals
to skip the usual polite or official things, like long introductions or thanks, and go straight to the main point
Examples
- If you don't mind, I'll dispense with the formalities and get straight to the reason for my call.
- Since we're all friends here, let's dispense with the formalities and start eating.
dispense with the formalities
1/dɪspˈɛns wˈɪθ ðə fɔɹmˈælətiz/
fixed phrase
formal
skip polite or official steps
skip the formal steps
Examples
- To save time, the chair dispensed with the formalities and began the vote.
- They dispensed with the formalities and spoke frankly.
- In an emergency, you may be allowed to dispense with some of the usual formalities.