Cool MateDismiss vs Just ignore that
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Dismiss
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Just ignore that
InformalTop 1,000 (very common)
Most formal: DismissMost common: Just ignore that
| Dismiss | Just ignore that | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪsˈmɪs/","/dɪsˈmɪsɪz/","/dɪsˈmɪst/","/dɪsˈmɪsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪsˈmɪs/","/dɪsˈmɪsɪz/","/dɪsˈmɪst/","/dɪsˈmɪsɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //dʒʌst ɪɡˈnɔː ðæt//🇺🇸 //dʒʌst ɪɡˈnɔr ðæt// |
| Meaning | To let someone or something go or not consider it. | Don't pay attention to that. |
| Example | The teacher decided to dismiss the class early today. | When she criticizes your work, just ignore that. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | quickly, immediately, out of hand, be unable to, cannot, not be possible to, as, from, fairly, unfairly, wrongfully, from | just ignore that comment, just ignore that noise, just ignore that person |
| Antonyms | embrace, welcome, accept | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'dismiss' without an object (e.g., saying 'I dismiss' instead of 'I dismiss the idea'), Confusing with 'miss' (to fail to notice or understand), Overusing in casual speech where 'ignore' may be more appropriate | Confusing with 'just' as a limiting word., Incorrectly emphasizing 'ignore' as a command instead of a suggestion. |
| Usage notes | Use 'dismiss' when you want to indicate that something is not worth consideration. It's neutral and should be avoided in very formal writing. | Used in casual conversations; avoid in formal contexts. Suitable when suggesting someone not mind something. |
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Frequently asked questions: Dismiss vs Just ignore that
What's the difference between Dismiss and Just ignore that?
Dismiss: To let someone or something go or not consider it. Just ignore that: Don't pay attention to that.
Which is more formal: Dismiss and Just ignore that?
Dismiss is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Dismiss and Just ignore that?
Just ignore that is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Dismiss: The teacher decided to dismiss the class early today. Just ignore that: When she criticizes your work, just ignore that.
Can I use Dismiss and Just ignore that interchangeably?
Not always. Dismiss and Just ignore that are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.