disjoint: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Technical
Quick answer
What does “disjoint” mean?
To separate or take apart at the joints or connections.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To separate or take apart at the joints or connections; to become detached or disconnected.
In a broader sense, to have no elements in common, to be disconnected or incoherent. Used in logic, mathematics (sets), and mechanics.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical across variants, though 'disjoint' as a verb is more common in formal/technical contexts in both. The adjective 'disjointed' is used equally.
Connotations
Same connotations: technical separation or incoherence.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech; slightly higher in AmE technical writing due to prevalence of tech/math publications.
Grammar
How to Use “disjoint” in a Sentence
[verb] disjoint + NP (e.g., disjoint the chicken)[adjective] be + disjoint (e.g., the sets are disjoint)[adjective] disjointed + NP (e.g., a disjointed narrative)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “disjoint” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The surgeon had to disjoint the bones for the procedure.
- If we disjoint these two arguments, the theory falls apart.
American English
- The mechanic disjointed the rods to inspect them.
- You can't disjoint those concepts; they're fundamentally linked.
adverb
British English
- [Rare to non-standard. No common example.]
American English
- [Rare to non-standard. No common example.]
adjective
British English
- In probability theory, the two events are considered disjoint.
- Their research interests are completely disjoint.
American English
- The datasets must be disjoint for a valid control group.
- These are disjoint mathematical sets with no overlap.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in 'disjointed strategy' or 'disjointed teams' to describe lack of coordination.
Academic
Common in mathematics, logic, computer science (e.g., 'disjoint sets'), and literary criticism ('disjointed plot').
Everyday
Very rare as a verb. The adjective 'disjointed' is occasionally used to describe confusing events or speech.
Technical
Primary context. Precise term in set theory, probability, and mechanical engineering.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “disjoint”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “disjoint”
- Using 'disjoint' as a common synonym for 'separate' in non-technical contexts.
- Confusing 'disjoint' (verb/tech adj.) with 'disjointed' (common adj. meaning incoherent).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency word primarily used in technical, academic, and formal contexts.
'Disjoint' is mainly a verb (to separate) or a technical adjective (having no overlap). 'Disjointed' is the common adjective meaning incoherent, lacking flow or connection.
It would sound very formal or technical. The adjective 'disjointed' is the form you might occasionally hear (e.g., 'a disjointed conversation').
Two or more sets are disjoint if they have no elements in common. For example, the set of even numbers and the set of odd numbers are disjoint.
To separate or take apart at the joints or connections.
Disjoint is usually formal / technical in register.
Disjoint: in British English it is pronounced /dɪsˈdʒɔɪnt/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɪsˈdʒɔɪnt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[none directly; related adjectival idiom: 'a disjointed narrative']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a toy robot: to DIS-JOINT it is to take it apart at its JOINTS.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONNECTION IS A JOINT; LACK OF CONNECTION IS DISJOINTEDNESS (e.g., 'disjointed ideas' are ideas not 'fitting together').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'disjoint' used most precisely?