What does "deceased" mean?

1. (no longer living) no longer alive. You use this word in formal writing or when talking about someone's death with great respect. 2. (the person who died) the person or people who have died. 3. (very funny) a slang way to say you are laughing so hard that you feel 'dead'.

How do you use "deceased"?

Often used as an attributive adjective before a noun like 'person', 'relative', or 'parent'. Usually preceded by the definite article 'the' to function as a noun.

deceased

adj. · n.

US //dɪˈsist// UK //dɪsˈiːsd// de·ceased

1 no longer living (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

no longer alive. You use this word in formal writing or when talking about someone's death with great respect.

no longer living; dead. This term serves as a formal euphemism, typically used in official documents, obituaries, or professional contexts.

Example

The lawyer asked for a copy of the deceased man's will.

Example

The detective noted that the deceased individual had no identification on his person at the time the body was discovered.

Usage

Often used as an attributive adjective before a noun like 'person', 'relative', or 'parent'.
- alive
- living
2 the person who died (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal Technical Law

the person or people who have died.

the person or persons who have died. This is a collective or singular noun phrase, often appearing as 'the deceased'.

Example

The deceased was a well-known doctor in the local community.

Example

In accordance with the wishes of the deceased, the estate was divided equally among the three surviving charities.

Usage

Usually preceded by the definite article 'the' to function as a noun.

Teacher's tip

In American legal contexts, 'decedent' is often preferred over 'the deceased' for property and inheritance matters.
- decedent
- the departed

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3 very funny (adj.)
C1 Advanced Slang Humorous Informal

a slang way to say you are laughing so hard that you feel 'dead'.

figuratively overwhelmed, typically by amusement or shock. This is a hyperbolic use common in digital communication.

Example

Did you see his reaction to the prank? I am actually deceased.

Example

The comedian's latest sketch was so accurate that the entire comment section was filled with people claiming to be deceased.

Teacher's tip

This is very modern internet slang; it should not be used in any professional or academic writing.
- dying
- dead

Origin

From decease + -ed, from Middle English deceas via Old French [Term?], from Latin dēcessus (“departure”), equivalent to dēced-, variation of dēcēdō, dēcēdere (“to go away”).