deceased

[ dih-seest ]

adjective

1. no longer living; dead.

noun

1. the deceased,
   1. the particular dead person or persons referred to.
   2. dead persons collectively:

      to speak well of the deceased.

deceased

/ dɪˈsiːst /

adjective

1. 1. a more formal word for dead
   2. ( as noun )

      the deceased

Other Words From

• unde·ceased adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of deceased¹

First recorded in 1480–90; decease + -ed ²

Synonym Study

See dead.

Example Sentences

The deceased actor’s father, Joe Brings Plenty Sr., said he is still “fighting to find out” what happened to his son while speaking Sunday at the Red Nation Film Festival in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

He had made unsolicited comments that he had acted in self-defence and had "prayed to God the deceased would be all right".

From BBC

Images carried by news agencies showed the deceased man lying in an area outside the court, as officers cordoned off the area.

From BBC

But I figured he had enough sense to offer a few words and sit down like all the other dignitaries, not squeeze a pseudo-rally out of a ceremony meant to honor a recently deceased icon.

From Los Angeles Times

Relatives of deceased emergency responders can apply for the emblem on the government's website.

From BBC

Related Words

• corpse
• dead body