# departed

/dɪˈpɑɹtɪd/ (US) · /dɪpˈɑːtɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/departed
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. dead

adjective · CEFR B2 · Formal

a polite way to say that someone is dead.

For teachers: used as a euphemism to refer to a person who has died.

- They gathered to share stories and remember their departed friend.
- The solicitor spent the afternoon reviewing the departed client's final wishes to ensure the estate was distributed according to the will.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun it describes.

### 2. the dead

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Literary

people who have died, often used when talking about them with respect.

For teachers: a collective noun referring to those who have died, typically used in a religious or ceremonial context.

- The community held a special ceremony to honour the dearly departed.
- The priest offered a prayer for the departed, asking for peace and remembrance during the memorial service.

Usage: Almost always preceded by 'the' and often modified by 'dearly'.

### 3. gone away

adjective · CEFR B2 · Literary

having left a place or no longer being present.

For teachers: having left or gone away; no longer present in a specific location or state.

- The summer was departed, and the first cold winds of autumn began to blow.
- By the time the investigators arrived at the scene, the mysterious guests were long departed, leaving no trace of their identity.

Teaching tip: In modern English, people usually just say 'gone' or 'left' unless they want to sound very poetic.

## Examples

- We gathered to honor the memory of the departed.
- The priest spoke movingly about the life of the departed during the memorial service.
- In many cultures, specific rituals are performed to ensure that the departed find peace in the afterlife and do not trouble the living.

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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.