departed

American  

[dih-pahr-tid] / dɪˈpɑr tɪd /

adjective

1. deceased; dead.

2. gone; past.

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noun

1. the departed,

   1. the dead person referred to.

   2. dead persons collectively.

departed British  

/ dɪˈpɑːtɪd /

adjective

1. euphemistic

   1. dead; deceased

   2. ( as sing or collective noun; preceded by the )

      the departed

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Other Word Forms

• undeparted adjective

Etymology

Origin of departed

First recorded in 1550–60; depart + -ed ²

Explanation

Something that's departed is gone, or happened in the distant past. An archaeologist might unearth artifacts from a departed era. Anything that's past or long gone is departed, including a person who has died. When your friend talks about her dear, departed Uncle Bob, you know that Uncle Bob is no longer living. The word has been a euphemism for "dead" since at least the 16th century — the traditional wedding service once read "till death us depart," rather than today's "till death do us part."

Example Sentences

The news of the cuts comes in advance of the arrival of a new BBC director general, former Google executive Matt Brittin, who will officially succeed the recently departed Tim Davie on 18 May.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Cheryl Ladd joined the show after Fawcett departed at the end of the first season.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Most arresting, though, are the four playground designs, two of which were summarily vetoed by Moses and all of which radically departed from convention.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

"We'll talk about any number of things related to the US-Hungary relationship," Vance told the press as he departed from Andrews Air Force Base outside of Washington.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

When Mr. Coggin departed after the unfortunate debacle concerning our tonsils, a series of other professional cameramen came and went.

From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

Related Words

• deceased