exempt

[ig-zempt]

verb (used with object)

1. to free from an obligation or liability to which others are subject; release.

   A grade above B+ is required in order to exempt a student from an examination.

   Synonyms: except, relieve, excuse

adjective

1. released from, or not subject to, a particular obligation or liability, such as income tax.

   Charities and other exempt organizations must still file an information return with the IRS.

2. U.S. Law.,  relating to or being an employee to whom certain obligations imposed on employers under the Fair Labor Standards Act do not apply, generally because skill level and remuneration are relatively high or work is of a kind that cannot be strictly scheduled.

   Executive employees and creative professionals are among those considered exempt under the FLSA.

noun

1. a person who is exempt from an obligation, duty, etc.

2. (in Britain) exon.

exempt

/ ɪɡˈzɛmpt /

verb

1. (tr) to release from an obligation, liability, tax, etc; excuse

   to exempt a soldier from drill

adjective

1. freed from or not subject to an obligation, liability, tax, etc; excused

   exempt gilts

   tax-exempt bonus

2. obsolete,  set apart; remote

noun

1. a person who is exempt from an obligation, tax, etc

Other Word Forms

• exemption noun
• exemptible adjective
• nonexempt adjective
• preexempt verb (used with object)
• quasi-exempt adjective
• unexempt adjective
• unexempted adjective
• unexemptible adjective
• unexempting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exempt¹

First recorded in 1325–75; (adjective) Middle English, from Old French, from Latin exemptus, past participle of eximere “to take out, free, release,” equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + emptus (past participle of emere “to buy, obtain”); (verb) late Middle English exempten, from Old French exempter, derivative of adjective exempt

Word History and Origins

Origin of exempt¹

C14: from Latin exemptus removed, from eximere to take out, from emere to buy, obtain

Example Sentences

Former First Minister Humza Yousaf recently called for Scotland's top law officer to exempt peaceful protesters who backed Palestine Action from prosecution.

From BBC

It imposed steep tariffs on some 28 US products, including almonds and apples back in 2019, when Washington had refused to exempt the country from higher taxes on steel and aluminium.

From BBC

Former first minister Humza Yousaf has called for Scotland's top law officer to exempt peaceful protesters who back the banned group Palestine Action from prosecution.

From BBC

After the California Legislature rewrote employment law in 2019, clarifying and limiting when businesses can classify their workers as independent contractors, Uber and Lyft went to California voters to exempt their drivers from that law.

From Los Angeles Times

On the day after its huge influx, Krome received a waiver exempting the facility from the requirement to log hold room activity.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• excuse 
• exonerate 
• free 
• spare