discharged
C1Formal, official, and technical.
Definition
Meaning
Released or allowed to leave, typically from an obligation, role, or container (e.g., from a job, hospital, or the military); or having emitted or fired something.
Fulfilled or performed one's duty; legally released from liability; having allowed a substance (like liquid or electricity) to flow out or be emitted.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily the past tense/participle of 'discharge'. As a participial adjective, it describes a state of having been released. Often used in legal, medical, military, electrical, and professional contexts. Can imply a formal or official conclusion of a responsibility or state.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor spelling differences in related forms ('honour discharge' vs. 'honorable discharge'). Terminology in law may vary slightly (e.g., 'discharged from bankruptcy' is common in both, but procedural names differ).
Connotations
In both varieties, 'discharged' from a hospital suggests a formal release after treatment. In a military context, it is the standard formal term for leaving service.
Frequency
Equally common in formal/official contexts in both varieties. Slightly more frequent in American English in legal/bankruptcy contexts due to differing legal systems.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Patient/Institution] discharged [Person] (from [Location])[Person/Thing] discharged [Obligation/Duty][Person/Thing] discharged [Substance] (into [Place])[Person] was discharged (as [adjective])Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Discharged with honour”
- “Duty discharged”
- “Discharged from one's obligations”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The accountant was discharged from his fiduciary duties after the audit. The company discharged its debt early.
Academic
The study participants were discharged from the trial following the final assessment. Ion channels discharged protons into the solution.
Everyday
My aunt was discharged from hospital yesterday and is now resting at home.
Technical
The capacitor discharged rapidly, releasing a burst of energy. The wastewater is treated before being discharged into the estuary.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The patient was discharged from the Royal Infirmary.
- The soldier was dishonourably discharged.
- The factory must not discharge effluent into the river.
American English
- The judge discharged the jury.
- He was honorably discharged from the Marines.
- The lawyer discharged her responsibilities to the client.
adjective
British English
- A discharged bankrupt may face credit restrictions.
- The discharged battery needed recharging.
- She is now a discharged patient.
American English
- He is a discharged veteran with full benefits.
- The discharged employee filed a lawsuit.
- Check the voltage on the discharged capacitor.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The doctor said I can go home. I will be discharged tomorrow.
- The soldier was discharged from the army.
- After the operation, she was discharged from hospital within two days.
- The company discharged its waste into the sea, which caused pollution.
- Having discharged all his duties as executor of the will, he felt a great weight lift.
- The court discharged the defendant due to a lack of evidence.
- The trustee discharged his fiduciary obligations with scrupulous care, thereby absolving himself of any future liability.
- Upon being discharged from bankruptcy, he was able to start rebuilding his credit rating.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CHARGE being reversed or taken away: DIS-CHARGE-D. A soldier is CHARGED with duty, then DIS-CHARGED from it.
Conceptual Metaphor
OBLIGATIONS ARE BURDENS (to be discharged); INSTITUTIONS ARE CONTAINERS (people are discharged from them).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'разгруженный' (unloaded) for objects. 'Discharged from hospital' is 'выписанный из больницы', not 'освобождённый'.
- Do not translate 'discharged his duties' literally as 'разрядил свои обязанности'. Use 'исполнил' or 'выполнил'.
- In legal contexts, 'discharged' (from bankruptcy) is 'освобождённый от долгов', not just 'уволенный'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'discharged' for informal quitting of a job (use 'left' or 'quit').
- Misspelling as 'dischargerd'.
- Incorrectly using the active form where passive is needed: 'The hospital discharged him' is correct, not 'He discharged from the hospital' (unless intransitive, rare).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'discharged' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Fired' is informal and almost always negative (dismissal from a job). 'Discharged' is formal/official and can be neutral or positive (e.g., from hospital, military service with honour).
Yes, as a participial adjective (e.g., 'a discharged patient', 'a discharged battery', 'discharged duties'). It describes the state resulting from the action of being discharged.
Typically 'discharged FROM' a place or role (hospital, army). For duties or obligations, it's often 'discharged his duties' (transitive) or 'discharged FROM' an obligation (e.g., discharged from a contract). 'Discharged of' is rare and archaic.
It is a punitive dismissal from military service for serious misconduct, carrying a lasting stigma and loss of veterans' benefits.
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