disappearance
Americannoun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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
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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.
Disappearance data is difficult to confirm in Mexico, though the number of people reported missing did climb during the Calderón administration.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026
Mrs Duncan is featured in a Channel 4 documentary about her son, The Disappearance of Jay Slater, which will be shown on Sunday.
From BBC • Sep. 25, 2025
His previous work, “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby,” was a trilogy, made up of two films that explored a couple’s grief-stricken, tumultuous relationship from each of their individual perspectives, and a third that combined them.
From New York Times • Apr. 11, 2024
The film comes from writer-director Ned Benson, who made the underappreciated “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby,” and of course boasts a great soundtrack including Beach House and Roxy Music.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 7, 2024
She paused to smile at Ralph before she announced, “The title of my story is ‘The Strange Disappearance of Ralph.’”
From "Ralph S. Mouse" by Beverly Cleary
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.
