What does "dismissed without prejudice" mean?

The term "dismissed without prejudice" signifies that the case may be reopened or refiled in the future. When a case is dismissed without prejudice, it allows the plaintiff or the party bringing the case the opportunity to correct any issues or errors that may have led to the dismissal and brings the possibility of pursuing the case again at a later time.

In contrast, if a case is dismissed with prejudice, it means that the case is permanently closed, and the plaintiff cannot refile the same claim. The ability to refile is a critical distinction when considering how a case can proceed following a dismissal. Thus, the correct interpretation of "dismissed without prejudice" is that it leaves the door open for further legal action on the claims involved.