Meaning & use
departed
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“departed” is a form of “depart”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
adjectivebefore a nounformaleuphemistic
Having died; used as a polite or formal way to refer to someone who has recently passed away.
Grammar: Usually comes before a noun: the departed leader. Can also be used as a plural noun: the departed.
Patterns
- the departed [person]
- our departed friend
The departed president was honored with a state funeral.
We gathered to remember our departed colleagues.
She wrote a poem for her departed mother.
verbintransitive
Left a place, especially at the start of a journey.
Grammar: Past tense and past participle of 'depart'; no object.
Patterns
- departed from somewhere
- departed for somewhere
The train departed from platform 3 at noon.
They departed for the airport early in the morning.
He departed without saying goodbye.
Word forms
| base form | depart |
|---|---|
| third person singular | departs |
| present participle | departing |
| past tense | departed |
| past participle | departed |
Common combinations
- the departed
- The priest prayed for the departed.
- departed soul
- They believed the departed soul had found peace.
- recently departed
- The recently departed manager will be missed.
- departed from
- The flight departed from London at 6 p.m.
Synonyms and how they differ
- deceased
- More direct and formal; 'departed' is gentler and often used in funeral contexts.
- late
- Used before a name or title to mean recently dead, e.g., the late president; 'departed' is more euphemistic.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: departed or depart?
departed vs depart
As a verb, 'depart' means to leave; 'departed' can be the past tense or an adjective meaning dead.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'departed' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Departed' as an adjective means dead, so 'departed soldiers' fits. The other options misuse it: a train is not 'departed' (use 'departed' as verb: the train departed), 'departed' is not a verb meaning 'put', and 'departed' is not used for being absent from work.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “departed”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.