Word
depressive
Phoneticsde·pres·sive, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈpɹɛsɪv/
UK/dɪpɹˈɛsɪv/
Definitions
01causing sadness
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. making you feel very sad or without hope.
adj. tending to cause depression or a dispiriting atmosphere.
“The gray weather and empty streets had a depressive effect on his mood.”
“The documentary offered a depressive look at the industrial decline of the region, leaving the audience with little sense of hope for the future.”
02relating to clinical depression
C1 · Advanced Medicine Technical
adj. connected to the medical condition of depression.
adj. relating to or characteristic of the clinical psychological state of depression.
“She was diagnosed with a depressive disorder after struggling for several months.”
“The patient exhibited classic depressive symptoms, including persistent lethargy and a marked loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities.”
Synonyms
03a person with depression
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Medicine Formal · Technical
n. a person who suffers from the medical condition of depression.
n. a person suffering from clinical depression. Often used in medical or historical contexts.
“The clinic provides specialized support groups for depressives and their families.”
“Early twentieth-century literature often portrayed the chronic depressive as a tragic figure misunderstood by a fast-paced society.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “depressive” in context.
Real-World Examples
“He voiced depressive donkey Eeyore in TV animation The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh from the late 1980s as well as numerous related shows, films and games.” “It made it easy to communicate and solve problems."
When she was unable to access the drug for two weeks, she says she experienced depressive episodes and suicidal thoughts.” Etymology
From French dépressif or Medieval Latin depressivus. By surface analysis, depress + -ive.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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