disappearance
Americannoun
-
disappearances
plural
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
Buzzwords for National Honey Bee Day
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Week 3: Investigations
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Week 2 Spelling
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
For a half-century, Congress has been offering middle- and working-class Americans options for tax-advantaged individual retirement savings, largely to compensate for the disappearance of traditional pensions.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
“The disappearance of the regent honeyeater’s song is a cultural issue, too,” Mr. Hoffman writes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
The repeated appearance and disappearance of sperm conjugation is one of the study's most notable findings.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 6, 2026
His disappearance caused a panic among the defenders and they were routed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
She told him everything—about her father, about the house on the hill overlooking the sea, about the book, and about Nin’s disappearance.
From "The Reader" by Traci Chee
Mahrang warned that enforced disappearances fuelled more resistance, rather than silencing it.
From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026
Kevin Docherty was one of several families detailing the failures of police in handling the disappearances of their loved ones.
From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2026
Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum has focused on distinguishing between disappearances committed by organized crime and those forced by state agents.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026
Ramos, who investigated and publicized the case, said "I'm now convinced that the sanctions came out on April 16 because a documentary that denounced those enforced disappearances."
From Barron's ● May 14, 2026
The girls decided to go talk to Amanda about the pony's disappearances.
From "Pony Problems: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #3" by Carolyn Keene
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.
