dislocate

American  

[dis-loh-kayt, dis-loh-kayt] / ˈdɪs loʊˌkeɪt, dɪsˈloʊ keɪt /

verb (used with object)

• dislocates,
  present (3rd person singular)
• dislocated,
  past participle,  past
• dislocating
  present participle

1. to put out of place; put out of proper relative position; displace.

   The glacier dislocated great stones. The earthquake dislocated several buildings.

2. to put out of joint or out of position, as a limb or an organ.

3. to throw out of order; upset; disorder.

   Frequent strikes dislocated the economy.

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noun

1. Gymnastics. a maneuver on the rings in which a gymnast in an inverted pike position turns over to swing down while pushing the arms out and turning them so that the palms are facing out when the body turns over.

dislocate British  

/ ˈdɪsləˌkeɪt /

verb

1. to disrupt or shift out of place or position

2. to displace (an organ or part) from its normal position, esp a bone from its joint

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• undislocated
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• dislocating
  present
• dislocated
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• dislocate
  simple
• dislocates
  simple
• have dislocated
  perfect
• has dislocated
  perfect
• am dislocating
  progressive
• are dislocating
  progressive
• is dislocating
  progressive
• have been dislocating
  perfect progressive
• has been dislocating
  perfect progressive

Past

• dislocated
  simple
• had dislocated
  perfect
• was dislocating
  progressive
• were dislocating
  progressive
• had been dislocating
  perfect progressive

Future

• will dislocate
  simple
• will have dislocated
  perfect
• will be dislocating
  progressive
• will have been dislocating
  perfect progressive

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Etymology

Origin of dislocate

1595–1605; < Medieval Latin dislocātus (past participle of dislocāre ), equivalent to Latin dis- dis- ¹ + locātus placed; see locate

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Explanation

To dislocate is to move something out of its correct or regular place, or disrupt it. When a family moves to a new town, it dislocates the kids, and if you throw a bowling ball, you might dislocate your shoulder. A hurricane can dislocate boats, beach homes, and sea creatures, and a football injury can also dislocate your shoulder — moving the bone out of the joint in which it normally sits. It's painful to dislocate a bone, and it can be painful in a different way when circumstances dislocate your life. The Latin root is dislocare, "put out of place," from dis-, "away," and locare, "to place."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dislocate dislocates dislocated dislocating

"I'm not going to say he's out, but I think it'd be doubtful if you dislocate your shoulder," Italy coach John Davison told reporters.

From Barron's ● Feb. 9, 2026

"I tripped over a step in the garden and managed to, somehow, dislocate my ankle; break my tibia and fibula; and rip two ligaments off the bone. What the heck," said Archibald.

From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2024

He’d dislocate fingers in practice and pop them back in like nothing happened.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 7, 2023

When players tear a knee ligament or dislocate a shoulder, when they wobble away from a jarring collision, trainers help them to the sideline and play resumes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 5, 2023

The two boys dislocate and grin at each other.

From "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" by J.K. Rowling

Like the author, Violet has a genetic condition that means the character dislocates joints and breaks bones easily - so must use her wits and inner strength to help her survive.

From BBC ● Jan. 21, 2025

The force dislocates the core from the tight leaf structure, and, with a quick twist, it pops right out.

From Salon ● May 28, 2021

Bellinger dislocates his shoulder after a home run.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2020

We have seen this before in history, when rapid change destroys people’s livelihoods dislocates communities and leaves a widespread sense of unease and, often, resentment.

From The Guardian ● Mar. 30, 2019

Haie laughs so much that he dislocates his jaw, and suddenly stands there helpless with his mouth wide open.

From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque

The Washington Commanders' hopes of getting back in the play-offs were dealt a huge blow last week as quarterback Jayden Daniels dislocated his left elbow.

From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026

Fox Sports announcer Tom Brady might have spoken for all of us when viewing the play in which Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels dislocated his left elbow Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 21, 2026

Instead, she stands up, pops her dislocated shoulder back into its socket and grimly declares to the shocked classmate filming her, “This is Claire Bennet, and that was attempt No. 6.”

From Salon ● Aug. 19, 2026

The remaining bill of the year was for my 2-year-old’s emergency room visit for a dislocated elbow.

From Slate ● Apr. 25, 2026

She catapulted to her feet and threw herself into a salute that must have nearly dislocated her shoulder.

From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein

Wide receiver Malik Nabers had to pop his right shoulder into place after dislocating it during the first quarter.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026

“We see the shape of hiring changing some of these skills and backgrounds, but at the same time, we don’t see it dislocating the need for having great individuals with deep, critical-thinking skills,” Narayan said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 8, 2026

Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo faces a month on the sidelines after dislocating his shoulder, the club said Wednesday.

From Barron's ● Dec. 3, 2025

It was Schar who blocked the shot destined for the back of the net and resulted in Nick Pope dislocating his shoulder.

From BBC ● Dec. 3, 2023

And yet for Justice the return to Pikeville has been almost as dislocating as moving out of foster care and into that octagonal bedroom all those years ago.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times

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