departure

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "departure" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of leaving a place or the time when someone leaves, as in "We must be on our way; the hour of our departure has come."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Every departure from what has been asserted as "proper" and "fitting" from that very specific standpoint is dismissed as aberrant, and is ridiculed and subordinated.

The Guardian - Opinion

BBC management had "verbal discussions" with BBC Worldwide, agreeing to meet the cost of her departure from the licence fee if she left the commercial division within two years.

The Guardian

Del Nero's departure means that four of the 25 members of Fifa's executive committee will now be absent when they meet on Saturday morning.

The Guardian - Sport

When Labour lost in 2010, Balls was originally overlooked by Miliband as shadow chancellor and only took on the role to which he was well suited after the departure of Alan Johnson.

The Guardian

Importantly for Clark he now carries nothing like the weight of expectation he had at Melbourne, for whom – no matter what anyone says of his departure – he always tried valiantly.

The Guardian - Sport

We cannot know yet the exact nature of his indisposition; his sudden departure suggests a serious setback.

The Guardian - Sport

Brown, who was under some pressure anyway at the start of his second season since succeeding Ashley Giles at Edgbaston, was left in an invidious position as Warwickshire accommodated Jonathan Trott's wishes to come straight back to first-class cricket, four months after his abrupt departure from England's Ashes tour.

The Guardian - Sport

He was brought in to fill the gap left by the departure of George Ford for Bath – Leicester's opponents on Sunday – when Ford tired of playing second fiddle to the man he could well replace in the England team when Flood moves to France in the summer, probably to Toulouse, although that is yet to be confirmed.

The Guardian - Sport

The last in this series of Life Begins, following Fred's departure, won the 9pm time slot with an audience of 6 million and a 25.5% share of the available audience - its second-biggest audience of the series.

The Guardian

"Economic credibility would be more readily restored with your departure," he wrote.

The Guardian - Opinion

Greece's crisis talks with international creditors have made slow progress and fears remain high that it could default on its debts, precipitating Athens' departure from the eurozone.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a death, "departure" can provide a more delicate or euphemistic tone.

Common error

Avoid using "departure" when you mean "departure from". "Departure" simply means leaving, while "departure from" signifies deviating or differing from a norm, standard, or plan.

Linguistic Context

The word "departure" primarily functions as a noun. It denotes the act of leaving, a deviation from a standard, or, euphemistically, death. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "departure" is a versatile noun with multiple meanings, primarily denoting the act of leaving or a deviation. It's grammatically sound, according to Ludwig AI, and enjoys widespread use across diverse contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. While synonyms like "leaving" and "divergence" offer alternatives, understanding the nuances of each enhances precision. As the examples from Ludwig illustrate, "departure" can convey both physical movement and abstract deviation, making it a valuable term in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leaving

This term is a direct synonym, focusing on the act of going away.

going away

This phrase emphasizes the action of moving from a place.

exit

This term suggests a way out or a leaving point.

passing

This is used for the event of someone's death

divergence

This highlights a deviation from a standard or expectation.

deviation

This term signifies a turning away from a set course or plan.

abandonment

Implies leaving something or someone behind, often with a negative connotation.

resignation

This refers to formally leaving a job or position.

outset

This refers to the beginning or starting point.

commencement

This term indicates the start of something.

FAQs

How can I use "departure" in a sentence?

You can use "departure" to refer to the act of leaving, as in "The flight's "departure" is scheduled for noon". It can also mean a deviation, as in "This policy marks a "departure" from previous practices".

What are some synonyms for "departure"?

Alternatives to "departure" include "leaving", "going away", "exit", and "divergence", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "departure" to describe someone's death?

Yes, "departure" can be used as a euphemism for death, providing a gentler way to refer to someone's passing. In such cases, "passing" can also be used.

What is the difference between "departure" and "deviation"?

"Departure" generally refers to the act of leaving a place or situation. "Deviation", on the other hand, specifically means a divergence or divergence from a standard, plan, or expected course. Therefore, while both can imply a form of separation, "deviation" often carries a stronger connotation of differing from a norm.