dislocate
Americanverb (used with object)
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dislocates,
present (3rd person singular)
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dislocated,
past participle, past
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dislocating
present participle
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to put out of place; put out of proper relative position; displace.
The glacier dislocated great stones. The earthquake dislocated several buildings.
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to put out of joint or out of position, as a limb or an organ.
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to throw out of order; upset; disorder.
Frequent strikes dislocated the economy.
noun
verb
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to disrupt or shift out of place or position
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to displace (an organ or part) from its normal position, esp a bone from its joint
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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dislocatesimple
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dislocatessimple
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have dislocatedperfect
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has dislocatedperfect
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am dislocatingprogressive
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are dislocatingprogressive
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is dislocatingprogressive
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have been dislocatingperfect progressive
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has been dislocatingperfect progressive
Past
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dislocatedsimple
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had dislocatedperfect
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was dislocatingprogressive
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were dislocatingprogressive
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had been dislocatingperfect progressive
Future
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."
Vocabulary lists containing dislocate
Power Prefix: dis-
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Talk Like Shakespeare Day, List 3
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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.
See Examples For:
"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
In March, the BBC reported how Mr Durose had been prescribed diazepam for a chronic condition called hypermobility, which can cause fatigue, pain and stiffness in joints and muscles, and for joints to dislocate easily.
From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2024
It would destroy the economy, dislocate millions of Americans and destabilize the globe.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 6, 2023
Will giving birth be a beautiful if intense experience or will you hemorrhage, dislocate your pelvis or require an emergency C-section?
From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2022
If one is to rule, and to continue ruling, one must be able to dislocate the sense of reality.
From "1984" by George Orwell
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
I have seen shows featuring such clothing before, but there is something about how they are presented here, as objects in their own right, that dislocates you, makes you look anew.
From The Guardian ● Feb. 19, 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
The firm sees opportunities in activist investing in healthcare companies, producing energy properties and, eventually, buying from forced sellers in dislocated credit markets.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026
He dislocated a knee and tore several ligaments, including his ACL, during a game against the New York Jets on Sept. 29, 2025, and was released by the Dolphins during the offseason.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2026
On Sunday, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels dislocated his left elbow in a loss to the Cowboys.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 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
He guessed that he must have dislocated it when he fell and that the violent action of the boat must have popped it back in.
From "The Voyage Of The Frog" by Gary Paulsen
“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
Uncapped wing Cadan Murley is preferred on the left wing to Ollie Sleightholme, with Exeter flier Immanuel Feyi-Waboso out after dislocating his shoulder.
From BBC ● Jan. 28, 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
High priests in journalism and culture are fond of fussing that the Internet is dislocating, isolating, dangerous.
From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
