adj B1 Intermediate Common

depressed

dih-PREHST

Depressed (adj) means feeling persistently sad, hopeless, or without energy; also used for the clinical mental health condition. Example: “She's been feeling depressed since losing her job.”

adj

Feeling persistently sad, hopeless, or without energy; also used for the clinical mental health condition.

"She's been feeling depressed since losing her job."

"He was diagnosed with clinical depression after months of feeling depressed."

Suffering from reduced economic activity.

"The depressed local economy left many shops boarded up."

How to use depressed

Learner’s notes

In 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.

Common pairings

clinically depressed feel depressed depressed economy

Word forms

more depressed comparative, most depressed superlative

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She's been feeling _____ since losing her job.

Etymology

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Synonyms

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dejected downcast despondent melancholy gloomy sluggish

Related words

happy dark glad slow negative sad depression blues

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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