deprived
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- self-deprived adjective
- undeprived adjective
Etymology
Origin of deprived
Explanation
Being deprived means lacking important things like food and water. For example, when warm clothing, housing, and nutrition are in short supply, the people are deprived of basics of life. You can use the adjective deprived to describe conditions or people who don’t have what they need or don't have enough. Some uses of deprived are for small things, like when you're deprived of dessert because you didn’t eat your vegetables, but most of the time deprived describes a very serious lack of essential things or services.
Vocabulary lists containing deprived
The Bill of Rights
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Donald Trump Inauguration Address- January 20, 2017
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Miranda v. Arizona (1966): Syllabus
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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.
The courts are therefore deprived of a massive number of cases which could help shape and further consumer law were courts allowed to consider those matters instead of arbitrators.
From Slate • Apr. 27, 2026
The cases rely on the Constitution’s guarantee of due process before being deprived of life, liberty or property.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026
With crude exports from Iranian ports effectively stopped up, the country will be deprived of a large chunk of its oil revenues.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026
High levels of distrust in authority in certain communities, including ethnic minority groups and people living in deprived areas, was and is also a factor.
From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026
Yet, when he was deprived of it, and could hear the other children reciting and singing in the schoolhouse, he felt woefully lost.
From "Messenger" by Lois Lowry
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.
