Omission
oʊˈmɪʃən
Definitions
2 meaningsThe act of excluding or leaving out someone or something.
oʊˈmɪʃən
The act of leaving something out or not including something.
The omission of the author's name was a significant error.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're making a cake, but you forget to put in the sugar. That's an omission! It's when you accidentally (or on purpose!) leave something out that should have been there. It's like when you don't invite someone to a party.
👶 For kids: Leaving something out on purpose or by accident.
More Examples
The editor pointed out several omissions in the manuscript.
The court ruled that the omission of certain documents invalidated the contract.
How It's Used
"The omission of key evidence led to the case being dismissed."
"The journalist was criticized for the omission of crucial facts from the report."
"Her omission of the birthday from her calendar meant she missed her best friend's party."
Something that is left out or excluded.
oʊˈmɪʃən
Something that has been left out or excluded.
Several important facts were omissions from the report.
💡 Simply: It's the thing that's missing! Like the missing piece of a puzzle, or the name you forgot to put on the list. It's something that should be there but isn't.
👶 For kids: The thing that is missing.
More Examples
The book was criticized for its glaring omissions about certain events.
The judge noted the significant omissions in the testimony.
How It's Used
"The historian noted the many omissions in the historical record that skewed the narrative."
"Certain omissions from the manuscript added a layer of mystery."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
Omission is the greatest crime
Failure to act can be as bad or even worse than a wrongful action.
"By not speaking up about the corruption, they became part of the problem and committed the greatest crime of omission."
From Latin *omissio* ('a neglect, a passing over'), from the verb *omittere* ('to let go, to disregard'), from *ob* ('against, towards') + *mittere* ('to send, to let go').
The word has been in use since the 15th century, initially in legal and religious contexts to describe the act of neglecting a duty or failing to do something required.
Memory tip
Think of 'omitting' a step in a recipe and the resulting chaos. Omission is a similar removal.
Word Origin
"to let go, disregard"