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Synonyms

omit

American  
[oh-mit] / oʊˈmɪt /

verb (used with object)

omits, present (3rd person singular) omitted, past participle, past omitting present participle
  1. to leave out; fail to include or mention.

    to omit a name from a list.

  2. to forbear or fail to do, make, use, send, etc..

    to omit a greeting.


omit British  
/ əʊˈmɪsɪbəl, əʊˈmɪt /

verb

  1. to neglect to do or include

  2. to fail (to do something)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of omit

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English omitten, from Latin omittere “to let go,” equivalent to o- prefix meaning “to, toward, over, etc.” ( see o2-) + mittere “to send“

Explanation

If you omit one member of the class when you're handing out valentines, it's going to make that person feel terrible. To omit something is to leave it out, to forget or overlook it. The verb omit comes from the Latin word omittere, "to let go or to lay aside," which is exactly what it means. When you omit an ingredient you need for your brownie recipe from the grocery list, you've accidentally left off an important item. You can also deliberately omit something, which you'd do if you didn't include your least favorite cousin when you invited your relatives to a family reunion.

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Vocabulary lists containing omit

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Omit the honey, or conversely, use hot honey for an interesting bite.

From Salon • Oct. 30, 2022

Omit the anchovy in the dressing, if you wish, but it’s there to bolster flavor — not to taste fishy.

From New York Times • Apr. 8, 2022

Omit the cheese to make the dish vegan.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 31, 2021

Omit flaky sea salt and switch out dark chocolate and almonds for equal amount pecans, sprinkling some on top before baking.

From Washington Post • Nov. 29, 2018

Omit to, if you wish, in a negative statement: Children ought not take candy from strangers.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner

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