omit

IPA/əˈmɪt/
KK[omˈɪt]IPA/əˈmɪt/

omit — verb

  • omitpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • omitshe / she / it
  • omittedpast simple
  • omitting-ing form

1. to leave a word, detail, person, or other part out of speech, writing, or a reco

1.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to leave a word, detail, person, or other part out of speech, writing, or a record, either on purpose or because you forgot.

Example

The editor omitted two footnotes from the final report by mistake.

omit + noun + from + something

For safety reasons, the map omits the names of private roads.

subject can be a document or map

Common collocations
  • omit a detail
  • omit a name
  • omit a paragraph
  • omit from the list
  • omit by mistake
Synonyms
  • leave out

    the everyday equivalent; less formal than 'omit'

  • exclude

    stronger and more deliberate, often with the idea of keeping something out

  • delete

    used especially when removing text or digital content that was already there

  • skip

    informal; often used when you pass over one item in order

Antonyms
  • include

    put the item in rather than leave it out

  • mention

    state the detail instead of leaving it unsaid

Grammar Patterns

omit + noun

omit + noun + from + something

be omitted from + something

Usage Note

Often used for names, details, sentences, and whole sections in writing or speech. A common pattern is omit something from something; distinguish this from sense 2, which is followed by a to-infinitive and focuses on an action left undone.

Common Mistakes

I omitted to the date from the form.
I omitted the date from the form.
this sense takes a direct object after 'omit'.
The report omitted about the accident.
The report omitted the section about the accident.
'omit' needs the missing thing itself as the object.

2. to fail to do an action that was expected, needed, or possible.

2.verbintransitiveC1
Definition

to fail to do an action that was expected, needed, or possible.

Example

The landlord omitted to mention the broken heater before we signed.

omit + to-infinitive

In his apology, Marcus omitted to say who had paid.

formal use in speech and writing

Common collocations
  • omit to mention
  • omit to say
  • omit to record
  • omit to explain
  • omit to inform
Synonyms
  • fail

    the plainest alternative; does not sound as formal

  • neglect

    suggests careless lack of attention to a duty

  • forget

    specifically stresses memory rather than formality

Antonyms
  • remember

    keep the action in mind and do it

  • perform

    carry out the action instead of leaving it undone

Grammar Patterns

omit + to-infinitive

omit to mention / say / record

Usage Note

Formal and somewhat old-fashioned in everyday conversation. It is usually followed by a to-infinitive, especially with verbs such as mention, say, record, explain, or inform; distinguish it from sense 1, which takes the missing thing as a direct object.

Common Mistakes

She omitted sending the email.
She omitted to send the email.
this sense normally takes a to-infinitive.
He omitted that he had changed trains.
He omitted to mention that he had changed trains.
add a verb such as 'mention' after 'omit to'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Omit' is more formal than 'leave out' and is common in writing, editing, instructions, and official language. If a report omits a fact, the fact is missing from the finished version. 'Leave out' means almost the same thing but sounds more everyday: 'You left out my name.' 'Exclude' is stronger and usually deliberate; it often means keeping a person or thing outside a group or activity, not just missing it from a text. 'Skip' is more informal and often suggests passing over one item in order, as in 'skip question 5'. Use 'omit' when you want a careful or formal tone: 'The clerk omitted my address from the form,' but 'We left out the funny story at dinner.'

omit ↗leave out ↗exclude ↗skip ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

English borrowed 'omit' from Latin 'omittere', a verb formed from 'ob-' and 'mittere' ('send' or 'let go'). The older idea was of letting something go past or letting it drop. That developed into the modern meanings of leaving something out of a text or list, and of failing to carry out an action that should have been done.