exempt

American  

[ig-zempt] / ɪgˈzɛmpt /

verb (used with object)

1. to free from an obligation or liability to which others are subject; release.

   A grade above B+ is required in order to exempt a student from an examination.

   Synonyms:

   except, relieve, excuse

---

adjective

1. released from, or not subject to, a particular obligation or liability, such as income tax.

   Charities and other exempt organizations must still file an information return with the IRS.

2. U.S. Law. relating to or being an employee to whom certain obligations imposed on employers under the Fair Labor Standards Act do not apply, generally because skill level and remuneration are relatively high or work is of a kind that cannot be strictly scheduled.

   Executive employees and creative professionals are among those considered exempt under the FLSA.

noun

1. a person who is exempt from an obligation, duty, etc.

2. (in Britain) exon.

exempt British  

/ ɪɡˈzɛmpt /

verb

1. (tr) to release from an obligation, liability, tax, etc; excuse

   to exempt a soldier from drill

---

adjective

1. freed from or not subject to an obligation, liability, tax, etc; excused

   exempt gilts

   tax-exempt bonus

2. obsolete set apart; remote

noun

1. a person who is exempt from an obligation, tax, etc

Other Word Forms

• exemptible adjective
• exemption noun
• nonexempt adjective
• preexempt verb (used with object)
• quasi-exempt adjective
• unexempt adjective
• unexempted adjective
• unexemptible adjective
• unexempting adjective

Etymology

Origin of exempt

First recorded in 1325–75; (adjective) Middle English, from Old French, from Latin exemptus, past participle of eximere “to take out, free, release,” equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + emptus (past participle of emere “to buy, obtain”); (verb) late Middle English exempten, from Old French exempter, derivative of adjective exempt

Example Sentences

Most subway lines will still operate local service, the city said, and public buses are exempt from the ban, though routes could be altered depending on road conditions.

From The Wall Street Journal

Products from Canada and Mexico already protected by a free-trade pact covering those nations and the U.S. will also be exempt.

From The Wall Street Journal

The good news: many states exempt children from inheritance tax.

From MarketWatch

Most Canadian exports enter the U.S. exempt from Ieepa tariffs because the goods comply with the terms of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some goods will be exempt from the tax "because of the needs of the U.S. economy" or in order to better target the duty.

From BBC

Related Words

• excuse
• exonerate
• free
• spare