dispense
C1formal, neutral in professional/technical contexts
Definition
Meaning
to distribute, give out, or provide something, often in portions or systematically
to make something unnecessary; to manage or administer without; to grant a legal or formal authorization or exemption
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a formal, official, or systematic distribution. In 'dispense with', it means to eliminate the need for. Historically tied to pharmacy and law.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant meaning differences. 'Dispense' is slightly more common in UK English in pharmacy contexts, but the usage is nearly identical.
Connotations
Both varieties strongly associate the word with pharmacies (dispensing chemist/doctor) and formal administration.
Frequency
Similar frequency; perhaps marginally higher in UK due to historical 'dispensing chemist' term.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
dispense something (to somebody)dispense something (from something)dispense with somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “dispense with the formalities”
- “dispense with (someone's) services”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The machine dispenses tickets automatically. We decided to dispense with the middleman.
Academic
The study aims to understand how traditional systems dispense justice in rural communities.
Everyday
Can you dispense some change for the parking meter? Let's dispense with the small talk.
Technical
The pharmacist must dispense the prescription according to strict guidelines.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The surgery will dispense your medication directly.
- The judge must dispense justice impartially.
- Shall we dispense with the usual agenda today?
American English
- The pharmacy will dispense the pills in a child-proof bottle.
- The new software dispenses with the need for manual entry.
- The vending machine dispenses snacks and drinks.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The machine dispenses water.
- The charity dispenses food to people in need.
- Let's dispense with the long introductions.
- It is the court's duty to dispense justice fairly.
- The new system dispenses with paper forms entirely.
- The agency was tasked with dispensing emergency aid in a transparent manner.
- His argument dispenses with conventional economic theories.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a DISPENSER (like a soap or water dispenser) – it GIVES OUT or DISTRIBUTES something.
Conceptual Metaphor
JUSTICE/ADVICE/KNOWLEDGE IS A SUBSTANCE TO BE DISTRIBUTED (e.g., 'dispense wisdom').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'dispensary' (амбулатория, диспансер) which is a related noun but a different concept.
- Russian 'раздавать' is a good equivalent for core meaning, but misses the formal/systematic nuance.
- 'Dispense with' meaning 'to make unnecessary' has no direct single-word equivalent; use обойтись без, устранить.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'He dispensed the books for the students.' (Better: 'to the students' or 'among the students').
- Incorrect preposition: 'We can dispense of this rule.' (Correct: 'dispense with this rule').
- Confusing 'dispense' (verb) with 'dispenser' (noun).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'dispense with' typically mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be used for abstract things like justice, advice, or information.
'Dispense' often implies a more formal, official, or measured action, sometimes by authority (like a pharmacist or judge). 'Distribute' is more general.
Yes, especially in 'dispense with' (e.g., 'dispense with his services' means to fire him). It can also imply a cold, mechanical giving out.
A UK term for a pharmacist who is qualified to prepare and give out medicines according to a doctor's prescription.