disappearance
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of disappearance
Explanation
A disappearance occurs when something vanishes from sight. The disappearance of the stars behind the clouds makes it a bad night for watching a meteor shower. While this word is often used when something's not visible, you can also use it for something that dies out or ceases to exist, like the disappearance of a particular animal species that's gone extinct or even disappearance of cursive writing in schools. In news stories, the word frequently refers to a crime involving a missing person: "The disappearance of his neighbor was very mysterious."
Vocabulary lists containing disappearance
Buzzwords for National Honey Bee Day
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Week 3: Investigations
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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.
Their disappearance has made it difficult for researchers to determine whether they are related to any animals living today.
From Science Daily • Jun. 10, 2026
Emmanuel’s disappearance drew national attention after Haro and her husband told authorities their son had been kidnapped after someone attacked her in a Yucaipa parking lot on Aug. 14.
From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026
The authors said their apparent disappearance "has become a dense mystery, a puzzle that has plunged investigators into deep confusion".
From Barron's • May 26, 2026
Taken together, the appearance reframed Colbert’s exit from CBS not as disappearance, but as migration.
From Salon • May 23, 2026
Mrs. Janssen had always been so specific about the timeline of Mirjam’s disappearance: Shortly before Mirjam disappeared, Mrs. Janssen brought her this edition of Het Parool.
From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse
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.
