bereaved
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of bereaved
First recorded in 1100–50; Middle English bireved, late Old English birēafod (past participle); see bereave, -ed 2
Explanation
Bereaved is an adjective describing people in deep sorrow at the loss of a loved one. For some, being bereaved helps them leave the sadness or release themselves from it by experiencing it for awhile. From the Old English berēafian, meaning "deprive of," bereaved describes the loss you feel when someone you love dies. You are suddenly deprived of the person's presence, and missing and mourning leads to being bereaved. Losing a pet causes similar feelings, and you can be bereaved when a person goes away but is still alive. Loss and separation even in life are still reason to be bereaved over the absence. If someone leaves and you miss them deeply, you may be bereaved.
Vocabulary lists containing bereaved
Born a Crime
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Beowulf vocabulary
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Cry Me A River: Synonyms for "Sad"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“We express our deepest condolences and offer our heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families,” the company said.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026
Tim Moloney KC, representing the bereaved families, said they were "instrumental" in ensuring the audit of the data breaches happened.
From BBC • May 27, 2026
Shinsegae Chairman Chung Yong-jin bowed in apology over the incident during the Tuesday press briefing and asked for forgiveness from bereaved families of the victims of the May 18 Democratic Uprising.
From Barron's • May 26, 2026
Shinsegae chairman Chung Yong-jin bowed in apology over the incident during the Tuesday news briefing and asked for forgiveness from bereaved families of the victims of the May 18 Democratic Uprising.
From Barron's • May 26, 2026
The letter, after expressing gratitude to the townspeople for having opened their “homes and hearts” to the bereaved family, turned into a plea.
From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
