English Reference
verb · adjective

vanished

v. · adj.
US /ˈvænɪʃt/ UK /vˈænɪʃt/ van·ished

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.to have gone away suddenly so that you cannot be seen or found.

    v.the past tense of the intransitive verb 'vanish', indicating a sudden or complete disappearance from sight or existence.

    Simple

    The magician waved his hand and the rabbit vanished from the box.

    In context

    The small fishing boat vanished into the thick fog, leaving the coastguards with no visual trace of its heading.

    Usage

    This verb is intransitive and does not take a direct object.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.describing something that no longer exists or has been lost forever.

    adj.describing a state of being no longer extant or apparent; often used to describe species, cultures, or feelings.

    Simple

    The explorer spent years searching for the vanished city in the jungle.

    In context

    The historian dedicated her career to documenting the traditions of vanished civilisations that once thrived along the river banks.

Linda, who was 41 when she vanished, was last seen parking her car in Alvescot Road while on her way to work at Swindon College in March 2002.

BBC News· 14 Aug 2026

As his craft passed behind the far side, contact with the pair on the lunar surface, as well as with mission control, vanished for 48 minutes.

BBC News· 5 Apr 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated