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

Some of the departed leaders were frustrated both with the company’s transparency around its take rate and Green’s leadership decisions, said people familiar with the matter.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

As he departed the courthouse, Franco was asked by a reporter how he felt.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

Manifold had replaced Helge Lund, who departed after a major reset at the British energy giant that saw it shelve carbon-reduction targets to focus on fossil fuel output.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

Robertson added Patel accepted his behaviour amounted to misconduct and "seriously departed from professional standards".

From BBC • May 21, 2026

Those who survived were returning to a nation different from the one they had departed, to make, in the words of their president, the world “safe for democracy.”

From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler

Related Words

• deceased