deceased

American

[dih-seest] / dɪˈsist /

adjective

no longer living; dead.

noun

the deceased,
1. the particular dead person or persons referred to.
2. dead persons collectively.
  
  to speak well of the deceased.

deceased British

/ dɪˈsiːst /

adjective

1. a more formal word for dead
2. ( as noun )
  
  the deceased

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See dead.

Other Word Forms

undeceased adjective

Etymology

Origin of deceased

First recorded in 1480–90; decease + -ed ²

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.

Survivors of the disaster and family members of the deceased were forced to sit in the seats of the accused, most of whom were absent.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

The filings in Los Angeles County Superior Court show Cal/OSHA began its investigation into the working conditions and training provided to the deceased detectives three days after the explosion.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

More challenging was the emotional toll of removing the deceased previous owner’s things.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

"Their bravery, their sacrifice and their names will not be forgotten," Springsteen said about the two deceased Americans.

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

Laila took her spot beside Mammy, next to the living-room entrance where it was customary for the family of the deceased to sit.

From "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023