departed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "departed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has left or passed away, often in a formal or literary context. Example: "The train has departed from the station, and we must hurry to catch it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Algeria left the forerunner of the EEC when it became independent in 1962; the 56,000 residents of Greenland departed in 1985; the French Caribbean colony of Saint Barthelemy (which, with nearly 10,000 inhabitants, has as roughly the same population as Glastonbury, in Somerset) formally exited the EU in 2012.

The Guardian

Arsène Wenger was left with bitter regrets as Arsenal departed the Champions League, with the antics of Arjen Robben, refereeing decisions and a serious hamstring injury to Mesut Özil vying for prominence.

The Guardian - Sport

As Tsipras departed Athens, officials said the Kremlin talks should be seen through the prism of Athens' leftist-led government doing "what is best for Greece".

The Guardian

It said 73.22% of all 295 W62206 flights from Luton to Budapest from 1 June 2013 to date departed on time, with 78.64% arriving on time in Budapest.

The Guardian - Money

Even a renaissance at Man City was short-lived, and he eventually departed for Mexico, the land of legendary golden pyramids lost in the jungles just waiting for a hero to uncover them.

The Guardian - Sport

Related: And then there was one: Miliband, Clegg and Farage quit as party leaders Nigel Farage quit as leader of Ukip – at least temporarily – after failing to win a seat on Thursday, but as he departed he labelled the current system an affront to democracy.

The Guardian

He departed his job at the Conference club having been offered this role with Yeovil, which will see the current interim manager, Terry Skiverton, revert to assistant manager, with Darren Way first-team coach.

The Guardian - Sport

It is also because walking through Algiers is like walking through the wreckage of a recently abandoned civilisation, whose citizens have only just departed in a hurry, leaving behind them their most personal possessions which you immediately recognise.

The Guardian

Pierfilippo Capello departed Parc des Princes at around 2pm with no agreement reached, and with his father preparing to depart for Brazil to watch the rest of the Confederations Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

They will not say so explicitly for fear of further aggravating sensitivities, which are already inflamed after Johann Lamont, the ousted leader, noisily departed with the complaint that the Labour leader treated Scotland "like a branch office".

The Guardian - Opinion

The director of rugby, Brian Smith, departed abruptly at the start of the year and until Saturday Irish had won two home games in the Premiership.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing obituaries, use "departed" as a respectful way to refer to the deceased.

Common error

Avoid using "departed" in very informal contexts. Opt for simpler words like "left" or "gone" to maintain a natural tone with your audience.

Linguistic Context

The word "departed" functions as a verb (past participle) indicating the action of leaving, an adjective describing someone who has died, or a noun referring to deceased persons. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility through various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "departed" is a versatile word that can function as a verb, adjective, or noun, commonly used to describe the act of leaving or, more formally, to refer to someone who has died. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news, sports, and formal business contexts. While generally neutral to formal, it's best to avoid "departed" in casual conversations and choose simpler alternatives like "left". For the deceased, "passed away" or similar phrases can serve as respectful substitutes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

left

Direct synonym indicating the act of going away from a place.

passed away

Euphemism for death, focusing on the end of life.

exited

Implies a formal or official departure, like from a company or agreement.

withdrew

Suggests a deliberate removal or retreat from a situation or place.

set off

Emphasizes the beginning of a journey or trip.

took off

Informal way of saying someone left quickly or unexpectedly.

abandoned

Highlights the act of leaving something or someone behind, often with negative connotations.

deviated

Focuses on diverging from a standard or expected path.

vanished

Suggests a sudden and mysterious disappearance.

relinquished

Indicates a formal surrender or giving up of something.

FAQs

What does "departed" mean?

"Departed" can mean having left a place or, more formally, having died. The specific meaning depends on the context.

What can I say instead of "departed" when referring to someone who has died?

You can use phrases such as "passed away", "is no more", or "is gone" as respectful alternatives.

How do I use "departed" in a sentence?

You can use "departed" as in, "The train has "departed" from the station" or "The "departed" members will be missed".

What is the difference between "departed" and "left"?

"Left" is a more common and informal term for going away from a place. "Departed" often carries a sense of finality or formality and can also refer to someone who has died, a meaning "left" does not share.