Words / C1

DIS-ip-ayt/ˈdɪsɪpeɪt/

To dissipate is to scatter or fade until gone, or to waste energy, money, or attention: the fog dissipated, dissipate a fortune. Disperse (already in the dictionary) is a close twin for crowds; waste is everyday for the money sense; concentrate sits opposite. Spending cover on a doorway film crew scatters the sitting.

Meaning

To gradually disappear or scatter; also to waste energy, money, or attention.

Examples

• “Do not dissipate the sitting’s cover on a film crew in the doorway.”
• “Disperse is already in this course. Evaporate is more complete disappearance. Waste is everyday. A crew is optional comms. Named invigilators are the condition. Put people on the door; shoot the film in the car park after.”

Good to know

Fade away; or waste by scattering. Close: disperse (already in the dictionary). Everyday (money): waste. A film crew ≠ cover.

Near in meaning

disperse

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