dispensable
gb/dɪspˈɛnsəbəl/ us/dɪspˈɛnsəbəl/
C1
Anglais
Sens
0 sens
adjective
C1
property
1
not needed; can be done without
Not important or needed.
Schéma d’usage :
[something] is (entirely) dispensable
Erreur fréquente :
Do not confuse with disposable (meant to be thrown away) or indispensable (absolutely necessary).
Synonymes
unnecessary (More direct and common; focuses on not being needed.)
|
nonessential (Slightly more formal; contrasts with what is essential.)
Antonymes
indispensable (Means absolutely necessary and cannot be done without.)
|
essential (Means needed for something to work or succeed.)
Collocations
entirely dispensable
|largely dispensable
|almost dispensable
|dispensable item
|dispensable feature
|dispensable detail
|dispensable expense
|dispensable luxury
|dispensable extra
|prove dispensable
Thèmes
daily_life
|communication
Exemples
- The extra decorative steps are dispensable if you’re short on time.
- In a crisis, small comforts can feel dispensable.
- Most of the report’s background detail is dispensable.
Exemples pédagogiques
- This part is dispensable.
- We can finish without it; it’s dispensable.
adjective
formal
C1
property
2
optional requirement; can be omitted
Not required in this case; it can be skipped.
Schéma d’usage :
[a requirement/formality] is dispensable (in [situation])
Erreur fréquente :
In formal contexts this often refers to rules or formalities, not physical objects.
Synonymes
optional (Commoner and less formal; means you may choose to do it or not.)
|
waivable (Legal/administrative; emphasizes that it can officially be waived.)
Antonymes
mandatory (Required by rules or authority.)
|
required (Needed; must be done.)
Collocations
dispensable requirement
|dispensable formality
|dispensable condition
|dispensable step
|dispensable procedure
|dispensable clause
|become dispensable
|considered dispensable
Thèmes
business
|law
|education
Exemples
- In some cases, the interview is dispensable if you submit strong references.
- The court decided the extra formality was dispensable under the circumstances.
- For remote employees, daily check-ins may be dispensable.
Exemples pédagogiques
- This form is dispensable for online orders.
adjective
C1
property
3
replaceable employee; not essential
Easy to replace; not important to keep.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone] is dispensable (to [organization/team])
Erreur fréquente :
This meaning can sound harsh when used about people; choose wording carefully (e.g., ‘not essential to the role’).
Synonymes
replaceable (Neutral; focuses on being easily substituted.)
|
expendable (Stronger and more negative; suggests being sacrificed or treated as disposable.)
Antonymes
irreplaceable (Cannot be replaced without serious loss.)
|
valued (Emphasizes being appreciated and important to keep.)
Collocations
feel dispensable
|seem dispensable
|become dispensable
|make someone dispensable
|dispensable staff
|dispensable worker
|dispensable employee
|highly dispensable
|seen as dispensable
Thèmes
work
|business
Exemples
- After the merger, many employees felt dispensable.
- Specialized skills can make you less dispensable in a downturn.
- He realized he was considered dispensable once the project ended.
Exemples pédagogiques
- She felt dispensable at her job.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
dispensable
API
GB/dɪspˈɛnsəbəl/
US/dɪspˈɛnsəbəl/
Syllabes et accentuation
dis - pens - able (3 syllabes)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pens)
Formes du mot
Adjective
- Base: dispensable
Famille de mots
Core family
dispense
verb B2
dispenser
noun
Related words
dispensation
noun
Negative and opposite forms
indispensable
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
indispensably
adverb
indispensability
noun
Expressions
Aucune expression n’est encore associée à cette entrée.