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.
Bereaved family members were left feeling heartbroken, guilty and angry that they could not be at their bedside.
From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026
Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK said while the work being done was vital, public inquiries generally needed to become more efficient and less adversarial.
From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026
Bereaved parents were among those in the courtroom to watch the proceedings.
From BBC • Feb. 18, 2026
Bereaved parents waited outside the Spring Street courthouse overnight in the rain for a place in the gallery, some breaking into sobs as he spoke.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2026
For which reason the place was named the Mountain of the Bereaved Mother.'
From The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Volume IV by Payne, John
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.
