# deprived

/dɪˈpɹaɪvd/ (US) · /dɪpɹˈaɪvd/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. poor or lacking resources

adjective · CEFR B2

not having the things that are necessary for a pleasant or successful life, such as money, housing, or education.

For teachers: suffering from a lack of basic material and cultural benefits; often used to describe socio-economic status.

- The charity works with children from deprived backgrounds to help them stay in school.
- The government has pledged significant investment to revitalise deprived urban areas that have suffered from decades of industrial decline.

Usage: Often used to describe areas, such as 'deprived neighbourhoods', or childhoods.

### 2. taken away from

verb · CEFR B2

the past form of 'deprive', meaning to take something important away from someone.

For teachers: the past tense and past participle of the transitive verb 'deprive', indicating the removal or withholding of something from an enjoyer.

- After working for twenty hours, he felt completely deprived of sleep.
- The prisoners were deprived of basic legal representation during the initial stages of the tribunal, leading to international condemnation.

Usage: Almost always followed by the preposition 'of'.

## Examples

- The charity helps children from deprived backgrounds.
- The government is investing in deprived urban areas to improve local schools and healthcare facilities.
- Sociologists argue that growing up in a deprived neighborhood can limit a child's future opportunities regardless of their individual talent or work ethic.

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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.