disable

Everyday

1. To turn off a feature or machine so it does not work, for example in an app or a phone. tree →
2. To stop something or someone from working properly, often by damaging it. tree →
3. To cause someone to have a disability, through injury or illness. tree →

In the lessons

In computing lessons you disable a setting, sound or notifications; in safety, an alarm or a car can be disabled; in health topics an accident can disable a person; the adjective «disabled» names people with disabilities; phrases: «disable notifications», «disable the alarm», «disabled access».

Examples

• Ask an adult to disable in-app purchases on the tablet. tree →
• The engineer disabled the alarm while he fixed it. tree →
• You can disable the sound in the game settings. tree →
• The storm disabled the power lines. tree →
• A bad fall disabled him for many months. tree →
• The thief tried to disable the camera. tree →
• Please do not disable the safety lock. tree →

Note

Regular verb: disabled, disabling. Opposite: enable. Polite words: «disabled people» or «people with disabilities»; avoid old rude words like «cripple». A disabled toilet or parking space is for disabled people, not anyone.