departed

American  

[dih-pahr-tid] / dɪˈpɑr tɪd /

adjective

1. deceased; dead.

2. gone; past.

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noun

1. the departed,

   1. the dead person referred to.

   2. dead persons collectively.

departed British  

/ dɪˈpɑːtɪd /

adjective

1. euphemistic

   1. dead; deceased

   2. ( as sing or collective noun; preceded by the )

      the departed

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Other Word Forms

• undeparted
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of departed

First recorded in 1550–60; depart + -ed ²

Explanation

Something that's departed is gone, or happened in the distant past. An archaeologist might unearth artifacts from a departed era. Anything that's past or long gone is departed, including a person who has died. When your friend talks about her dear, departed Uncle Bob, you know that Uncle Bob is no longer living. The word has been a euphemism for "dead" since at least the 16th century — the traditional wedding service once read "till death us depart," rather than today's "till death do us part."

Example Sentences

The United Arab Emirates recently departed OPEC, an organization whose global market share has fallen from 50% in 1973 to 38%.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

Karen Hauer, the show's longest-serving female pro, has departed after 14 years.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

Jochen Zeitz, a longtime company director who became CEO in 2020 and departed in October, gave priority to Harley’s large, expensive touring bikes and cruisers, which can cost more than $50,000.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

It is endemic to Chile and Argentina, the latter country being where the ship departed from.

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

Seating himself at his desk, he pointedly fished about in a drawer until Miss Marsten, perceiving the hint, departed.

From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick

Related Words

• deceased