What is dismiss? Pronunciation and usage in English

dismiss means . Learn how to pronounce and use dismiss through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of dismiss

dismissverb

/dɪsˈmɪs/
Definition & pronunciation of dismiss

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "dismiss" in English. Here's a breakdown of the sounds and a few different ways to approach it:

1. The Core Sounds:

  • di - pronounced like "dee" (as in "deep")
  • miss - pronounced like "miss" (as in "missed")
  • s - pronounced like a sharp "s" sound, like in "sun"

2. Putting it Together:

When you combine them, it sounds like: "dih-miss"

3. Emphasis & Nuances:

  • Emphasis: The primary stress is usually on the first syllable: "dih-miss".
  • The "s" sound: Make sure the "s" sound at the end is clear and distinct. Don't let it slide into a "z" sound.
  • Flow: Try to link the syllables smoothly together.

4. Listen to Examples:

The best way to learn is to hear it! Here are some resources:

Tips for Practice:

  • Say it slowly at first: Focus on getting each syllable right.
  • Record yourself: Listen back to identify areas where you can improve.
  • Repeat: Like anything, repetition helps.

Do you want me to:

  • Break down the pronunciation further (e.g., how the vowels are pronounced)?
  • Give you some example sentences to practice with?

Usage and examples with the word dismiss in English

The word "dismiss" has several different uses in English, all revolving around the idea of ending something or sending someone away. Here's a breakdown of how to use it, categorized by meaning:

1. To End a Meeting or Class (Most Common)

  • Meaning: To bring a meeting, class, or other gathering to an end.
  • Example: "The professor dismissed the class early because of the rain."
  • Example: "We were dismissed from the meeting after an hour."
  • Phrases: dismiss the meeting, dismiss the class

2. To Send Someone Away (Formal)

  • Meaning: To formally order someone to leave. This is a more forceful and often official usage.
  • Example: "The police dismissed him from the station after he refused to cooperate."
  • Example: "The board of directors dismissed the CEO." (meaning “fired”)
  • Synonyms: discharge, terminate, evict

3. To Reject or Disregard Something (Informal)

  • Meaning: To consider something unimportant, silly, or unworthy of attention.
  • Example: "Don't dismiss his ideas as naive; they might be worth exploring."
  • Example: "I dismissed his concerns as being overly dramatic."
  • Synonyms: disregard, brush aside, ignore

4. To Quickly Decide or Reject (Informal)

  • Meaning: To make a quick judgement, often negatively.
  • Example: “I dismissed the argument immediately – it had no basis in fact.”
  • Example: “She dismissed him from her mind.”

Key Points & Tips:

  • Formality: “Dismiss” is generally more formal than words like “stop” or “end.”
  • Context is Crucial: The meaning of "dismiss" depends heavily on the context.
  • Synonyms: Be aware of synonyms to help you choose the best word for your sentence.

Here's a table summarizing the different meanings:

Meaning Example
End a meeting/class "The teacher dismissed the students."
Send someone away "The company dismissed him from his job."
Reject/Disregard “Don’t dismiss her effort.”
Quick negative judgment “I dismissed the proposal as flawed.”

To help me give you even more specific advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to write about? (e.g., a classroom, a workplace, a social situation?)
  • What is the specific nuance you're trying to convey with the word "dismiss"?

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