dispose
gb/dɪspˈoʊz/ us/dɪspˈoʊz/
B2
English
~ 6600
ártalmatlanít, kidob, lead, hajlik, hajlamos, hajlandó, hajlamosít, hangol, arra késztet, hajlamossá tesz, elidegenít, rendelkezik, értékesít, elrendez, elhelyez
VERB
B2
1
Usage pattern:
to dispose of [something]
You must dispose of batteries at a special recycling center.
Az elemeket egy erre kijelölt újrahasznosító gyűjtőhelyen kell leadni.
The company failed to dispose of hazardous chemicals properly.
A vállalat nem ártalmatlanította megfelelően a veszélyes vegyi anyagokat.
Residents are encouraged to dispose of garden waste in the brown bins provided.
She shredded the old documents before disposing of them.
How should we dispose of this broken furniture?
Learner examples
Please dispose of your trash in the bin.
Kérjük, dobja a szemetét a kukába.
You cannot dispose of old medicine in the sink.
A régi gyógyszert nem szabad a mosogatóba dobni vagy a lefolyóba önteni.
We must dispose of this oil carefully.
He disposed of the empty boxes after the move.
I do not know how to dispose of this computer safely.
Common mistake:
Learners often forget the preposition and say *"dispose something"* instead of the correct *"dispose of something"*. Another mistake is confusing "dispose" with "disposal": "How to disposal waste" is wrong; it should be "How to dispose of waste" or "How to do waste disposal".
Meaning
get rid of something
Collocations
dispose of waste
|dispose of rubbish
|dispose of garbage
|dispose of hazardous materials
|dispose of evidence
|dispose of nuclear waste
Synonyms
discard (Often more direct and informal; commonly used for throwing away everyday things.)
Antonyms
keep (Means to continue to have something instead of getting rid of it.)
Themes
environment
|daily life
|law
|daily_life
|health
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To throw something away or remove it so you do not have it anymore, often in a safe way.
To get rid of something, especially by throwing it away or dealing with it safely and correctly.
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
to be disposed to [do something]
I am disposed to agree with your proposal.
Hajlok arra, hogy egyetértsek az Ön javaslatával.
The board is not disposed to take risks at this time.
A testület jelenleg nem hajlandó kockázatot vállalni.
She felt kindly disposed to her new neighbors.
He is generally disposed to believe what experts say.
The judge was clearly disposed to show leniency.
Learner examples
I am disposed to help if I can.
Hajlandó vagyok segíteni, ha tudok.
They are not disposed to change the plan.
Nem hajlandók megváltoztatni a tervet.
She is disposed to believe her friends.
Our manager is disposed to listen to new ideas.
The teacher is disposed to be strict with late homework.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "disposed to" with "supposed to" (e.g. *"I am disposed to arrive at 8"* instead of *"I am supposed to arrive at 8"*). Another mistake is leaving out the verb "be" and saying *"I disposed to help"* instead of *"I am disposed to help"*.
Meaning
having a tendency or willingness
Collocations
disposed to agree
|disposed to help
|disposed to believe
|disposed to think
|disposed to be critical
Synonyms
inclined (Very close in meaning but slightly more common; can sound a little less formal than "disposed".)
Antonyms
reluctant (Shows that someone is not willing or not happy to do something.)
Themes
attitude
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Feeling or likely to act in a certain way; ready or willing to do something.
Having a particular tendency or willingness to think or act in a certain way.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
to dispose [someone] to/toward [something]
Her honesty disposed me to trust her.
Az őszintesége bizalmat ébresztett bennem iránta.
The friendly welcome disposed the audience toward the speaker.
A barátságos fogadtatás kedvezően hangolta a közönséget az előadó iránt.
Early experiences can dispose people to anger or patience.
His past failures disposed him to be cautious.
Such generosity naturally disposes us to gratitude.
Learner examples
Her kind words disposed me to like her.
Kedves szavai rokonszenvet ébresztettek bennem iránta.
The warm weather disposed everyone to relax.
A meleg idő mindenkit pihenésre hangolt.
The teacher's smile disposed the students to listen.
Bad news disposed him to feel sad.
Their help disposed us to support their plan.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this sense with the "throw away" sense and try to use objects instead of people (e.g. *"The rules dispose the waste"*). In this meaning, "dispose" takes a person as its object ("dispose him", "dispose us") and describes a change in attitude, not getting rid of something.
Meaning
make someone feel or think a way
Collocations
dispose someone to kindness
|dispose someone to favor
|factors that dispose us to
|circumstances that dispose people toward
|disposed him toward forgiveness
Synonyms
incline (Very close in meaning; often slightly more common in this formal, psychological sense.)
Antonyms
discourage (Makes someone less likely to think or act in a certain way, which is the opposite effect.)
Themes
attitude
|psychology
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make someone feel or want to act in a certain way.
To influence someone so that they are likely to think or behave in a particular way.
VERB
C1
TECHNICAL
4
Usage pattern:
to dispose of [assets/property/shares]
The company plans to dispose of several non-core assets.
A vállalat azt tervezi, hogy több, nem alaptevékenységéhez tartozó eszközét értékesíti.
Under the will, she is free to dispose of the property as she wishes.
A végrendelet értelmében szabadon rendelkezhet az ingatlannal, ahogy kívánja.
Shareholders voted to dispose of the loss-making division.
He was forced to dispose of his stake in the firm.
The charity disposed of the donated land at auction.
Learner examples
The firm decided to dispose of its old building.
A cég úgy döntött, hogy értékesíti a régi épületét.
They will dispose of their shares next year.
Jövőre értékesítik a részvényeiket.
She can dispose of the house after her parents die.
The company must dispose of some assets to pay its debts.
He chose to dispose of his business before retiring.
Common mistake:
Learners may mix this business/legal sense with the waste-removal sense and think it always means "throw away". In business and law, "dispose of" often means "sell" or "transfer", not physically discard something.
Meaning
sell or give away property
Collocations
dispose of assets
|dispose of property
|dispose of shares
|dispose of interests
|dispose of the business
Synonyms
divest (A technical term in business and finance meaning to sell or get rid of assets, often for strategic reasons.)
Antonyms
acquire (Means to obtain or buy something, the opposite of selling or giving it away.)
Themes
business
|law
|finance
Definition
To sell or give something, such as property or shares, so it is no longer yours.
To sell, give, or otherwise transfer ownership or control of assets, property, or a business.
VERB
C2
FORMAL
5
Usage pattern:
to dispose [things] [in/into + pattern/place]
Chairs were disposed in a circle around the room.
A székeket körben rendezték el a szobában.
Small lamps were artfully disposed along the path.
Az ösvény mentén kis lámpákat helyeztek el művészi gonddal.
The paintings were symmetrically disposed on the gallery wall.
Tables were disposed around the hall to create more space.
Stones were carefully disposed to form a low border.
Learner examples
The chairs were disposed in rows.
A székeket sorokba rendezték el.
Flowers were disposed around the statue.
Virágokat helyeztek el a szobor körül.
Pictures were disposed along the hallway.
Lights were disposed on both sides of the street.
Seats were disposed in a circle for the meeting.
Common mistake:
Because this sense is formal and not very common, learners often try to use the more familiar "put" or "place" and may not recognize "disposed" as meaning "arranged" when reading. Also, learners sometimes confuse this with the "throw away" sense, but here nothing is being removed; things are just arranged.
Meaning
arrange or place carefully
Collocations
disposed in a circle
|disposed around the table
|neatly disposed
|symmetrically disposed
|disposed along the wall
Synonyms
arrange (More common and general; "dispose" sounds more formal and often suggests a careful or artistic placing.)
Antonyms
scatter (Means to throw or place things in many directions without order, the opposite of arranging them carefully.)
Themes
art
|design
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To put things in a special order or pattern.
To arrange or position things in a particular order, pattern, or place.
Grammar
Dictionary form
dispose
IPA
GB/dɪspˈoʊz/
US/dɪspˈoʊz/
Syllables & stress
dis - pose (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pose)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: dispose
- 3rd Person Singular: disposes
- Present Participle: disposing
- Past: disposed
Word family
Forms
disposes
verb
disposing
verb
disposed
verb
Core family
disposal
noun B2
disposable
adjective B1
Related words
disposition
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
indisposed
adjective
Advanced or less common
disposer
noun
Expressions
be disposed to do something
1/bˈi dɪspˈoʊzd tə dˈu sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
tend or be willing to do
To be likely or willing to do something.
Examples
- I am disposed to accept their offer.
- They seem disposed to give us another chance.
be ill disposed toward someone/something
1/bˈi ˈɪl dɪspˈoʊzd təwˈɔɹd sˈoʊmˈoʊnsəmˈɛθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
have an unfriendly attitude
To dislike or not support someone or something; to feel negative toward them.
Examples
- Many employees were ill disposed toward the new policy.
- He was ill disposed toward the idea of further cuts.
be well disposed toward someone/something
1/bˈi wˈɛl dɪspˈoʊzd təwˈɔɹd sˈoʊmˈoʊnsəmˈɛθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
have a favorable attitude
To like or support someone or something; to feel positive toward them.
Examples
- The voters were well disposed toward the new candidate.
- She was well disposed toward her colleagues after the successful project.
dispose of
1/dɪspˈoʊz əv/
phrasal verb
get rid of something
To get rid of something you do not want, usually by throwing it away or dealing with it safely.
Examples
- Please dispose of your cigarette ends in the bins provided.
- The committee quickly disposed of the remaining items on the agenda.
- This chemical must be disposed of at a special facility.
- He easily disposed of his opponent in straight sets.
- We need to dispose of these old files before we move offices.