# bereaved

/bɝˈivd/ (US) · /bɪɹˈiːvd/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bereaved
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a person who has lost someone they loved, such as a family member or a close friend. You use this word to describe someone who is still dealing with the sadness of that loss.

For teachers: a person who has suffered the loss of a loved one through death. Often used in formal or medical contexts to describe the emotional state of the individual.

## Examples

- The bereaved family gathered at the funeral.
- The hospital provides a quiet room for the bereaved to sit and process their grief after a difficult delivery.
- The community rallied around the bereaved, offering practical support and emotional comfort during the most difficult weeks following the accident.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.