Standard Lemma guide

dispositive

adj · noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK: /dɪˈspɒzɪtɪv/
  • CMU ARPABET: D IH2 S P AA1 Z AH0 T IH0 V Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Intending to, resulting in, or capable of disposition (disposing, disposing of, or settling a matter).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • We were unable to produce any dispositive evidence to support our case.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Being a statutory provision not mandatory to the parties, as in ius dispositivum.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: Euro-English or non-native speakers' English

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: cogent

3

adj

Meaning 3

By natural disposition, having such an inclination.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

Alternative form of dispositif.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: alt-of, alternative

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Middle French dispositif and its source, Latin dispositus. Compare Piedmontese dispositiv.