Words / B2

di-SPOHZ/dɪˈspəʊz/

Dispose almost always needs of in the “get rid of” sense: dispose of waste; disposal is the noun (already in the dictionary). Throw away is everyday. Arrange is an older second sense (troops were disposed). Labs must dispose of samples under licence. Do not write “dispose the rubbish” — dispose of.

Meaning

To get rid of something (dispose of); also to arrange.

Examples

• “Labs must dispose of samples according to the licence.”
• “The board is disposed to delay, which is a formal “inclined” sense — rare in exams.”

Good to know

dispose of + waste / assets. Noun: disposal. Everyday: throw away / get rid of. Trap: not “dispose the files”. Legal: dispose of an estate.

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