depressive
dih-PREH-sihv
Depressive (adj) means relating to or causing depression. Example: “She was treated for a depressive episode that lasted several months.”
adj
1
Relating to or causing depression.
"She was treated for a depressive episode that lasted several months."
noun
1
A person who experiences depression.
"Support groups can be a lifeline for depressives coping alone."
How to use depressive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes something connected to depression, or (less commonly now) a person who suffers from it.
When to use it
Using "a depressive" to label a person is now considered old-fashioned or clinical; "someone with depression" is more common today.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like depressive.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- depressives
- Comparative
- more depressive
- Superlative
- most depressive
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She was treated for a _____ episode that lasted several months.
Etymology
From French depressif or Medieval Latin depressivus, built on depress + -ive.
Rhymes for depressive
See all rhymes for depressive →Frequently asked questions
What does “depressive” mean?
The word “depressive” means relating to or causing depression. In plain terms, describes something connected to depression, or (less commonly now) a person who suffers from it.
How do you pronounce “depressive”?
“Depressive” is pronounced dih-PREH-sihv (/dɪˈpɹɛsɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “depressive” in a sentence?
Here is “depressive” used in a sentence: “She was treated for a depressive episode that lasted several months.”
What part of speech is “depressive”?
Depending on how it is used, “depressive” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “depressive” come from?
The word “depressive” comes from Medieval Latin. From French depressif or Medieval Latin depressivus, built on depress + -ive.
Is “depressive” a common word?
“Depressive” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “depressive” have?
“Depressive” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to or causing depression.
