dislocate

American  

[dis-loh-keyt, dis-loh-keyt] / 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

Etymology

Origin of dislocate

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

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

It was an evening made worse by an injury to Hull's Samoa prop Ligi Sao, who left the field bound for hospital after appearing to dislocate his left knee cap.

From BBC ● Feb. 21, 2025

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

He’s had the shoulder dislocate either completely or partially a handful of times over the last season.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 23, 2022

Mal jutted her chin at the man so hard, it looked as though she would surely dislocate her jaw.

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell

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

Cresswell almost dislocates his standing ankle, spinning a dipper over the near side of the wall, just under the bar, and into the vicinity of the top corner!

From The Guardian ● Apr. 3, 2022

Unfortunately, minutes into his triumphant return, he dislocates two fingers after swiping right too overzealously.

From Salon ● Mar. 6, 2021

Bellinger dislocates his shoulder after a home run.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2020

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

Cardiff lock Teddy Williams, who made a welcome return from a dislocated right foot suffered in October, failed to gather the restart.

From BBC ● Jun. 27, 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

Some Canadian aluminum was diverted to Europe over the summer, and executives expect pressure from dislocated customers of aluminum from the Middle East to lure metal away from the U.S. market.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 2, 2026

The feat was achieved without South Africa-born skipper Wayne Madsen, who dislocated his shoulder in the Scotland defeat.

From Barron's ● Feb. 13, 2026

Being at odds with the other arts was not the only aspect of the symphony that dislocated music from its time.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

“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

"I took the silliest fall that ultimately resulted in me dislocating my shoulder," Kim said.

From Barron's ● Jan. 8, 2026

The wide receiver missed the last two months on injured reserve after dislocating an elbow.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 7, 2025

The surgery, which tennis star Andy Murray also had, involves dislocating the upper end of the thighbone, trimming it, capping it and removing cartilage before putting it back in place.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 28, 2023

During a surveying trip in 1785, Lee was carrying Washington’s surveying chain when he slipped on some stones and fell, breaking or dislocating one of his knees.

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis