displace - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
displace Word Meanings
- to move something from its usual place
- to remove someone from their home
- to take the place of something
displace Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
displace Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/dɪsˈpleɪs/
US
/dɪsˈpleɪs/
displace Word Etymology
dis- = away + place = put; Origin: Latin → Old French → English. Imagine a person displacing dirt from a garden, removing it from its spot, replacing it with flowers.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I grab the chair and move it a foot to the side, feeling the space open up. I push the table a bit, then pull the rug to smooth the line between floor and edge. The sofa settles, and the old corner loosens its grip as things shift around. When a new lamp is placed in the vacated spot, the room makes room for something else to displace the familiar rhythm.
Real Context
Displace means to move something from its usual place, or to remove someone from where they live or work, or to take the place of something by substituting it. It emphasizes separation from the original position and often implies some disruption. You can displace furniture, mud, or people, and you can be displaced by a newer model, a policy, or a natural event. The verb is transitive and typically follows a direct object: you displace X with Y, or X is displaced by Y. Distinctions from move (any movement) and remove (take away entirely) help learners choose the right nuance in different contexts.
Usage Reminders
- Remember: displace is transitive, usually with a direct object; it often uses from/by; avoid using it for simple movement; not identical to replace; can refer to people or things being moved or displaced by circumstances.
Common Misconceptions
- Displace is the same as move; move covers any movement, while displace implies disruption or removal from a place.
- Displace only refers to people being forced to move; it can also apply to objects and landscapes.
- Displace means replace; the nuance is about moving away, not directly substituting.
- You must always use displace with from/by or with an agent; sometimes you can just say 'move'.
- Displace is informal and casual; in most contexts, other verbs fit better.
Thinking Differences
Displace in English often carries a formal, policy or physical disruption nuance; learners may overgeneralize to simply moving objects, or confuse it with replace. In many cultures, displacement is tied to housing rights, land use, or social impact, so learners benefit from associating the term with context and agency (who causes the displacement).
Learning Tips
- Link displace to a clear agent: who causes the displacement?
- Pair with appropriate prepositions (from, by) to show source or cause.
- Compare with move and remove to pick the right nuance.
- Practice with people (evictions) and with objects (furniture relocation) for variety.
- Use in policy or news contexts to sound precise.
- Check collocations like displaced by, displaced from, displacement of.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What does 'displace' mean?
A.Swim
B.Move
C.Jump
D.Talk
Step 2: Usage
In which sentence is 'displace' used correctly?
A.She displace the book on the shelf.
B.He ran to the store quickly.
C.They slept early last night.
D.The flood will displace many families from their homes.
Step 3: Similar Words
What is a synonym for 'displace'?
A.Expand
B.Elevate
C.Replace
D.Reduce
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is an antonym for 'displace'?
A.Perceive
B.Accept
C.Retain
D.Negotiate
Step 5: Mastery
How is the term 'displace' used in real life?
A.During natural disasters, many people are displaced from their homes.
B.Displacing items in a room can help with reorganizing.
C.Plants can displace soil as their roots grow deeper.
D.Displacing furniture can change the look of a room.
Want to practice more words?
Download LexiTalk app for personalized learning experience
Download App