dissipate
[ dis-uh-peyt ]
/ ˈdɪs əˌpeɪt /
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verb (used with object), dis·si·pat·ed, dis·si·pat·ing.
to scatter in various directions; disperse; dispel.
to spend or use wastefully or extravagantly; squander; deplete: to dissipate one's talents; to dissipate a fortune on high living.
verb (used without object), dis·si·pat·ed, dis·si·pat·ing.
to become scattered or dispersed; be dispelled; disintegrate: The sun shone and the mist dissipated.
to indulge in extravagant, intemperate, or dissolute pleasure.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”
Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.
Question 1 of 7
Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?
Origin of dissipate
First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin dissipātus (past participle of dissipāre, dissupāre “to scatter”); see -ate1
synonym study for dissipate
1. See scatter.
OTHER WORDS FROM dissipate
dis·si·pat·er, dis·si·pa·tor, noundis·si·pa·tive, adjectivedis·si·pa·tiv·i·ty [dis-uh-puh-tiv-i-tee], /ˌdɪs ə pəˈtɪv ɪ ti/, nounnon·dis·si·pa·tive, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for dissipate
British Dictionary definitions for dissipate
dissipate
/ (ˈdɪsɪˌpeɪt) /
verb
to exhaust or be exhausted by dispersion
(tr) to scatter or break up
(intr) to indulge in the pursuit of pleasure
Derived forms of dissipate
dissipater or dissipator, noundissipative, adjectiveWord Origin for dissipate
C15: from Latin dissipāre to disperse, from dis- 1 + supāre to throw
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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