depart
Depart (verb) means to leave a place, especially to begin a journey. Example: “The train departs from platform 4 at nine o'clock.”
How to use depart
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo leave somewhere, or to go against the usual plan or pattern.
More formal than "leave" — commonly used for trains, flights, and formal announcements.
Word forms
departed past tense, depart plural, departed plural, departs singular, depart singular, departed singular, departest singular, departedst singular, departeth singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The train _____ from platform 4 at nine o'clock.
Etymology
From Old French departir, from Late Latin departire ("to divide"), from de- ("away") and partire ("to part, divide").
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “depart” mean?
The word “depart” means to leave a place, especially to begin a journey. In plain terms, to leave somewhere, or to go against the usual plan or pattern.
How do you pronounce “depart”?
“Depart” is pronounced dih-PAHT (/dɪˈpɑɹt/ in IPA).
How do you use “depart” in a sentence?
Here is “depart” used in a sentence: “The train departs from platform 4 at nine o'clock.”
What is the opposite of “depart”?
The opposite of “depart” — its antonyms — are arrive, come, stay, live and conform.
What part of speech is “depart”?
“Depart” is a verb.
Where does the word “depart” come from?
The word “depart” comes from Late Latin. From Old French departir, from Late Latin departire ("to divide"), from de- ("away") and partire ("to part, divide").
Is “depart” a common word?
“Depart” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “depart” have?
“Depart” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to leave a place, especially to begin a journey.
What is the difference between depart and leave?
Depart and leave both mean to go away from a place, but depart is more formal and is typically used in written notices, travel announcements, and official contexts, while leave is the everyday, general-purpose word. For example, flight and train schedules use "depart," but in casual speech people usually say "leave."
What preposition follows depart when talking about a plan or rule?</q>
When depart means to differ from or move away from a plan, rule, or usual way of doing something, it is typically followed by "from," as in "depart from tradition" or "depart from the agreed procedure." This figurative sense is distinct from its literal meaning of physically leaving a place.
Is depart transitive or intransitive?
Depart is normally used intransitively, meaning it does not take a direct object, as in "the train departs at noon" rather than "the train departs the station." When a destination or origin is mentioned, it is usually introduced with a preposition such as "from" or "for."