disapplication: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Technical, Legal, Administrative
Quick answer
What does “disapplication” mean?
The act or process of making a rule, law, or requirement not apply.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act or process of making a rule, law, or requirement not apply; the official removal of legal or regulatory application.
In British educational contexts, it can refer to the specific exemption from following the National Curriculum, often for a pupil with special educational needs, allowing for a tailored learning plan.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is predominantly British, especially in educational and legislative contexts (e.g., disapplication of the National Curriculum). In American English, terms like 'waiver', 'exemption', 'non-application', or 'suspension' are more common in equivalent contexts.
Connotations
In the UK, it carries formal, bureaucratic connotations. In the US, its use is rare and may be seen as a technical or overly formal Britishism.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general English; moderately higher in specific UK legal, governmental, and educational discourse. Almost negligible in everyday American English.
Grammar
How to Use “disapplication” in a Sentence
disapplication of [rule/law/provision]disapplication for [purpose/pupil]disapplication by [authority/body]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “disapplication” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The Secretary of State can disapply these regulations in exceptional circumstances.
- The school applied to disapply the modern language requirement for the pupil.
American English
- The federal agency moved to disapply the outdated provision. (Rare, US legal)
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial form; 'disapplicably' is non-existent]
American English
- [No standard adverbial form]
adjective
British English
- The disapplication order was published last week.
- They sought disapplication powers from parliament.
American English
- [No common examples; 'exemption order' would be used]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; might be used in regulatory compliance discussions about EU-derived legislation post-Brexit (e.g., 'disapplication of certain EU procurement rules').
Academic
Used in legal studies and UK educational policy papers discussing curriculum flexibility and special educational needs provisions.
Everyday
Extremely rare. A layperson is more likely to say 'getting an exemption' or 'a rule being waived'.
Technical
Core use is in UK statutory instruments, legal texts, and official Department for Education guidance documents.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “disapplication”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “disapplication”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “disapplication”
- Using it to mean 'misapplication' (which is applying something incorrectly).
- Using it in informal contexts where 'exception' or 'exemption' would be more natural.
- Spelling as 'dis-aplication'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. An 'exception' is a general case where a rule does not apply. 'Disapplication' refers to the formal, often official, act of creating that exception or removing the rule's application.
It is not recommended. It is a formal, technical term. In everyday situations, use words like 'exception', 'exemption', or 'waiver'.
No, it is very rare in American English. American legal and administrative texts prefer terms like 'waiver', 'exemption', 'suspension', or 'non-application'.
The verb is 'to disapply'. For example: 'The authority has the power to disapply this regulation.'
The act or process of making a rule, law, or requirement not apply.
Disapplication is usually formal, technical, legal, administrative in register.
Disapplication: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdɪs.æp.lɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdɪs.æp.lɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of DIS- (not) + APPLICATION (applying a rule). It's the official 'un-applying' of a rule.
Conceptual Metaphor
RULES ARE BINDINGS; DISAPPLICATION IS A RELEASE/UNTYING.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'disapplication' MOST likely to be used correctly?