decedent
5 synonyms for decedent, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A legal term for a person who has died, used mainly in wills, estates, and probate law.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
dead soul
dead person
deceased person
How to use decedent
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
the decedent's estate
decedent's assets
This is specialist legal vocabulary — in ordinary conversation "the deceased" or "the person who died" is far more natural.
Etymology
From Latin decedens, "one who is departing" — from decedere, "to go away, to die."
Full origin of decedent →Frequently asked questions
What does “decedent” mean?
The word “decedent” means a legal term for a person who has died, used mainly in wills, estates, and probate law. In plain terms, the legal word for a dead person, used almost exclusively in wills, estates, and court documents.
How do you pronounce “decedent”?
“Decedent” is pronounced dih-SEE-duhnt (/dɪˈsi.dənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “decedent” in a sentence?
Here is “decedent” used in a sentence: “The decedent's estate was divided equally among his three children.”
What part of speech is “decedent”?
“Decedent” is a noun.
Where does the word “decedent” come from?
The word “decedent” comes from Latin. From Latin decedens, "one who is departing" — from decedere, "to go away, to die.".
