deceased
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
Related Words
See dead.
Other Word Forms
- undeceased adjective
Etymology
Origin of deceased
Explanation
When someone is deceased, they are dead — not dying or even just about to die. They are dead. The word deceased has been around since the 15th century, however, when people talk of someone's having died, they rarely use deceased in conversation. For example, if you ask someone how their dog is and their dog is recently deceased, they'll most likely use a less technical phrase such as "no longer with us," or "passed away." The word deceased is more formal, and most often used in the documentation of death or in legal situations, as in "we are here to read the will of the deceased."
Vocabulary lists containing deceased
Salt to the Sea
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"Superman and Me" and "A Smart Cookie/It's Our Story, Too"
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The War I Finally Won
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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.
That the commission held on this long, chasing the assets of a deceased man to remedy a “harm” no living or dead person suffered, speaks volumes about the principles at stake.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026
Reporters for mainstream and right-wing outlets alike admitted they had no idea why the first lady chose that particular moment to go on the record about her relationship with the deceased financier.
From Salon • Apr. 13, 2026
The Angels stopped paying legal fees for imprisoned former communications executive Eric Kay after the team reached a settlement with the family for deceased pitcher Tyler Skaggs in December.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026
An A-B trust is another option: The “A” trust is revocable and holds the surviving spouse’s assets; the “B” trust is irrevocable and holds the deceased spouse’s assets.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026
“Miss Deveraux told me that you’re a bit impulsive and she was worried for your welfare. Told me your services were a gift from her now deceased father, and how valuable she finds your companionship.”
From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland
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.
