adj
Common
deceased
dih-SEEST
Deceased (adj) means No longer alive; dead — usually said of a person, as a more formal or gentle alternative to "dead.". Example: “The deceased woman's neighbours brought flowers to the house.”
adj
1
No longer alive; dead — usually said of a person, as a more formal or gentle alternative to "dead."
"The deceased woman's neighbours brought flowers to the house."
"Her deceased husband had left detailed instructions for the funeral."
"The charity was founded in memory of the founder's deceased daughter."
noun
1
The person or people who have died, especially in a legal, medical, or formal context.
"The will of the deceased was read aloud to the family in the solicitor's office."
"The deceased was identified by dental records."
"Next of kin of the deceased were notified by police that evening."
How to use deceased
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal, respectful word for someone who has died — common in obituaries, legal papers, and news reports.
Common mistake
It is a formal/legal register word — in everyday speech people usually just say "dead" or "passed away." Don't confuse with "diseased" (having a disease), which is spelled and pronounced differently but often mistyped.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
the deceased
deceased person
deceased's estate
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Word forms
- Plural
- deceaseds
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The _____ woman's neighbours brought flowers to the house.
Etymology
From "decease" (to die), which came through Old French from Latin decessus, "a departure" — the same idea as "passing away."
Related words
Rhymes for deceased
See all rhymes for deceased →Frequently asked questions
What does “deceased” mean?
The word “deceased” means no longer alive; dead — usually said of a person, as a more formal or gentle alternative to "dead.". In plain terms, a formal, respectful word for someone who has died — common in obituaries, legal papers, and news reports.
How do you pronounce “deceased”?
“Deceased” is pronounced dih-SEEST (/diˈsist/ in IPA).
How do you use “deceased” in a sentence?
Here is “deceased” used in a sentence: “Her deceased husband had left detailed instructions for the funeral.”
What is another word for “deceased”?
Words with a similar meaning to “deceased” include departed.
What part of speech is “deceased”?
Depending on how it is used, “deceased” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “deceased” come from?
The word “deceased” comes from Latin. From "decease" (to die), which came through Old French from Latin decessus, "a departure" — the same idea as "passing away.".
Is “deceased” a common word?
“Deceased” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “deceased” have?
“Deceased” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: no longer alive; dead — usually said of a person, as a more formal or gentle alternative to "dead.".
What is the difference between 'deceased' and 'dead'?
Both mean no longer alive, but 'deceased' is more formal and gentle, and is preferred in legal, medical, and respectful contexts. 'Dead' is the plain, everyday term and can sound blunt when referring to a person.
What is the difference between 'the deceased' and 'the departed'?
Both are gentle ways of referring to a dead person and are largely interchangeable. 'The deceased' is the more neutral and formal term, common in legal and medical settings, while 'the departed' carries a slightly more sentimental or religious tone.
Can 'deceased' be used as a noun?
Yes. As a noun, 'the deceased' refers to the person or people who have died, especially in a legal, medical, or formal context. It can be singular or plural, as in 'the deceased was identified' or 'the deceased were named.'
Is it correct to say 'deceased person'?
Yes. 'Deceased' works as an adjective before a noun, so 'deceased person' is correct and simply means a person who has died. In formal contexts you may also see just 'the deceased' used on its own as a noun.
