depressed
dih-PREHST
Depressed (adj) means feeling persistently sad, hopeless, or without energy; also used for the clinical mental health condition. Example: “He felt depressed for weeks and found it hard to get out of bed.”
adj
1
Feeling persistently sad, hopeless, or without energy; also used for the clinical mental health condition.
"He felt depressed for weeks and found it hard to get out of bed."
"She's been feeling depressed since losing her job."
"He was diagnosed with clinical depression after months of feeling depressed."
2
Suffering from reduced economic activity.
"Many factories closed in the depressed region, leaving people struggling to find work."
"House prices stayed low in the depressed town for years."
"The depressed local economy left many shops boarded up."
How to use depressed
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFeeling very low emotionally, or (of an economy/area) struggling and in decline.
When to use it
When describing a diagnosed condition, use it carefully and respectfully rather than casually for everyday low moods.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
clinically depressed
feel depressed
depressed economy
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more depressed
- Superlative
- most depressed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He felt _____ for weeks and found it hard to get out of bed.
Etymology
See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for depressed
blessed
dressed
pressed
assessed
stressed
obsessed
recessed
professed
repressed
possessed
oppressed
impressed
See all rhymes for depressed →
Frequently asked questions
What does “depressed” mean?
The word “depressed” means feeling persistently sad, hopeless, or without energy; also used for the clinical mental health condition. In plain terms, feeling very low emotionally, or (of an economy/area) struggling and in decline.
How do you pronounce “depressed”?
“Depressed” is pronounced dih-PREHST (/dɪˈpɹɛst/ in IPA).
How do you use “depressed” in a sentence?
Here is “depressed” used in a sentence: “She's been feeling depressed since losing her job.”
What part of speech is “depressed”?
“Depressed” is an adjective.
Is “depressed” a common word?
“Depressed” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “depressed” have?
“Depressed” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: feeling persistently sad, hopeless, or without energy; also used for the clinical mental health condition.
What is the difference between depressed and sad?
Sadness is usually a temporary feeling in response to an event, while "depressed" describes a persistent state of sadness, hopelessness, or low energy. "Depressed" is also used for the clinical mental health condition, which is more serious and longer-lasting than ordinary sadness.
What is the difference between depressed and depressing?
"Depressed" describes how a person feels, meaning persistently sad or without energy. "Depressing" describes something that causes those feelings, such as a depressing film or a depressing situation.
Can an economy be described as depressed?
Yes. In this sense, "depressed" means suffering from reduced economic activity, as in a depressed housing market or a depressed region. It describes weak business conditions rather than a person's mood.
What is the difference between depressed and unhappy?
"Unhappy" is a general word for not being content, often about a specific situation. "Depressed" suggests a deeper, more lasting sadness and loss of energy, and it can also refer to the clinical mental health condition.
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