Disappear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Disappear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something or someone ceasing to be visible or present. Example: "As the magician waved his wand, the rabbit seemed to disappear into thin air."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He has written for the Soho Theatre, the Sheffield Crucible and Southwark Playhouse, among others, and has had three Afternoon Plays broadcast on BBC Radio 4. His play How To Disappear Completely And Never Be Found became the first unproduced play ever to win the John Whiting Award.

The Guardian

This year my family has decided to avoid the usual online petitions and donations of gold coins that disappear into the purses of NGOs.

The Guardian - Opinion

"If the money defeats me, " he says quietly, turning back to me, "I will disappear".

The Guardian

When the last boat leaves they will disappear, but for the moment Capri is theirs.

The Guardian - Travel

Relying on the fact that few of us regularly click beyond the first page of search results, lobbyists make negative content "disappear".

The Guardian

Overwhelmingly, my desire was to melt in, not to disappear but just feel … well, less obvious.

The Guardian - Opinion

Looking down the valley from Cressbrook, the rushing water seems suddenly to disappear into the sheer cliff face.

The Guardian - Travel

Once in Kuwait, women often completely disappear from view.

The Guardian

My next-door neighbour and best friend and I built cubby houses, talked across the fence, rode our bikes for hours and would disappear, free as birds, coming home only for a feed or to sleep.

The Guardian - Opinion

This time of year always fills me with a desire to drop everything and disappear into nature, but the rules won't allow it; I must make do with these snatched moments.

The Guardian

"In a way, the topic of smart grids should disappear soon because whatever they do will automatically be smart," he adds.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "disappear" when you want to describe a sudden or gradual loss of visibility or existence. It's versatile and appropriate for various contexts, from physical objects to abstract concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "disappear" interchangeably with verbs like "dissolve" or "vanish" without considering the nuance. "Dissolve" implies breaking down into a solution, while "vanish" suggests a more sudden and complete disappearance. "Disappear" is a broader term that can encompass both.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "disappear" is as an intransitive verb, indicating the action of ceasing to be visible or present. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe physical objects, people, and abstract concepts going away. The Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "Disappear" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to describe something ceasing to be visible or present. Ludwig AI confirms the linguistic correctness and usability. It enjoys widespread application across diverse contexts, but is predominantly found in "News & Media". Semantically similar alternatives include "vanish", "evaporate", and "fade away", each carrying subtle nuances. When using "Disappear", be mindful of redundancy (e.g., avoid "disappear out of sight") and choose it thoughtfully to convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Vanish

Similar meaning, emphasizing a sudden and complete disappearance.

Evaporate

Implies disappearing like vapor, often used metaphorically.

Fade away

Suggests a gradual disappearance over time.

Dematerialize

Often used in science fiction, implying a change in physical form.

Cease to exist

A more formal way of saying something no longer exists.

Go missing

Specifically refers to people or things that are lost or unaccounted for.

Be no more

A more poetic or dramatic way to express disappearance.

Pass from sight

Describes something moving out of view.

Become invisible

Suggests a change in visibility rather than complete disappearance.

Be swallowed up

Implies being engulfed or consumed by something else.

FAQs

How can I use "Disappear" in a sentence?

"Disappear" can be used to describe something ceasing to be visible, such as, "The magician made the rabbit "disappear"." It can also refer to something ceasing to exist: "The company's profits "disappeared" due to the economic downturn."

What are some alternatives to using the word "Disappear"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "vanish", "evaporate", "fade away", or "go missing".

Is it correct to say "Disappear out of sight"?

While understandable, ""disappear"" already implies being out of sight, so adding "out of sight" is redundant. A better phrasing would be simply, ""disappear"".

What's the difference between "Disappear" and "Vanish"?

"Vanish" often implies a sudden and complete disappearance, sometimes with an element of mystery. "Disappear" is a more general term that can refer to both sudden and gradual disappearances without necessarily implying mystery.