adjective
Common
departed
dih-PAH-tihd
Departed (adjective) means having left a place; gone. Example: “The station felt quiet after the departed train took most of the crowd.”
adjective
1
Having left a place; gone.
"The station felt quiet after the departed train took most of the crowd."
"The departed guests left their room keys at the desk."
"She stared at the empty runway, thinking of the departed flight."
2
Dead; no longer living (a gentler way of saying so).
"He often spoke fondly of his departed wife at family gatherings."
"We lit a candle in memory of our departed friend."
"They gathered to honor their departed grandmother."
noun
1
A person, or people collectively, who have died.
"The service ended with a moment of silence for the departed."
"Flowers were laid at the memorial to remember the departed."
"The priest asked everyone to pray for the departed."
How to use departed
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who has left, or — used more delicately — someone who has died.
When to use it
Used in obituaries and eulogies as a softer alternative to "dead."
Common pairings
the dearly departed
pray for the departed
a departed friend
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Word forms
- Plural
- departeds
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The station felt quiet after the _____ train took most of the crowd.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for departed
See all rhymes for departed →Frequently asked questions
What does “departed” mean?
The word “departed” means having left a place; gone. In plain terms, someone who has left, or — used more delicately — someone who has died.
How do you pronounce “departed”?
“Departed” is pronounced dih-PAH-tihd (/dɪˈpɑɹtɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “departed” in a sentence?
Here is “departed” used in a sentence: “The departed guests left their room keys at the desk.”
What part of speech is “departed”?
Depending on how it is used, “departed” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “departed” a common word?
“Departed” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “departed” have?
“Departed” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having left a place; gone.
What is the difference between departed and deceased?
Departed and deceased are both gentle, indirect ways to describe someone who has died, but departed can also simply mean someone has left a place, while deceased refers only to death. Context determines which meaning of departed applies.
Why is departed used as a polite way to say someone has died?
Departed softens the directness of saying someone died by using imagery of leaving or moving on, which many people find gentler and more comforting, especially in obituaries and condolences.
Can departed be used as a noun?
Yes, 'the departed' can refer to a person, or people collectively, who have died, as in 'we remember the departed' during a memorial service.
