depressed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'depressed' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe an emotional state of feeling down, low, or sad. For example: "John has been feeling depressed since his dog passed away last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Society

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Last year a survey by student newspaper The Tab revealed that 21% of Cambridge students have been diagnosed with depression, while a further 25% think they may be depressed.

The Guardian

The single biggest misunderstanding surrounding depression is that we've all been a bit depressed at one time or another, so what's the fuss all about?

The Guardian - Opinion

Bereaved students are among the most vulnerable people at university and at risk of ongoing mental health problems – it's thought that 33% of bereaved people experience a depressive illness one month after the loss, and 15% are still depressed a year later.

The Guardian

The accident left Zambrano-Montes feeling depressed, says Martha.

The Guardian

Simply being there, round the clock, every day of the year, for people who are stressed, depressed or even suicidal, is the proud mission of Samaritans.

The Guardian

If student life is constantly portrayed as being some kind of hell on earth, where most students are depressed with no one to help them, this creates a self-fulfilling prophesy making students feel worse and reluctant to seek help.

The Guardian

We have two children, aged 10 and eight, and he says he is depressed and only loves me as "the mother of his children" now.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So is winter making you properly depressed or just a bit blue?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We have to operate at a level of denial, otherwise we'd be permanently depressed because we have the one big truth hanging over us: that we're going to die.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So far from boosting confidence and animal spirits with his deflationary budget of June 2010, Osborne depressed them.

The Guardian - Business

"What he says is: 'I'm not depressed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a clinical condition, use "suffering from depression" or "diagnosed with depression" to accurately convey the severity and medical context. Avoid casual usage in such situations.

Common error

Avoid using "depressed" to describe fleeting feelings of sadness. Depression is a serious clinical condition and should not be confused with temporary unhappiness. Use more appropriate terms like "sad", "down", or "unhappy" for transient emotions.

Linguistic Context

The word "depressed" primarily functions as an adjective, describing a state of low mood, unhappiness, or a clinical condition. Ludwig AI confirms its use as an adjective indicating emotional or economic downturns.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Lifestyle

25%

Society

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "depressed" functions primarily as an adjective to describe a state of low mood or economic decline. While grammatically correct, it's crucial to distinguish between temporary sadness and clinical depression. Use alternatives like "feeling down" or "unhappy" for transient emotions. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is frequently used in news and media, lifestyle, and society contexts. When precision is key, especially in medical contexts, "suffering from depression" provides a more accurate description. The word is very common in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffering from depression

A more clinical way to describe the condition, implying a diagnosed illness.

despondent

Implies a loss of hope or courage.

feeling down

Less formal way to express a temporary state of sadness or low spirits.

downhearted

Feeling discouraged or disappointed.

unhappy

A general term for not being happy; less intense than "depressed".

in low spirits

A more descriptive way of saying someone is not feeling cheerful.

crestfallen

Feeling disappointed and dejected, often after a setback.

melancholy

A thoughtful or gentle sadness.

experiencing sadness

A general term for feeling sad, which can be temporary or related to a specific event.

miserable

Suggests extreme unhappiness or discomfort.

FAQs

How to use "depressed" in a sentence?

You can use "depressed" to describe someone feeling persistent sadness, such as "She felt "depressed" after losing her job" or to describe an economic condition, such as "The region's economy was "depressed" after the factory closed".

What can I say instead of "depressed"?

You can use alternatives like "feeling down", "unhappy", or "despondent" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "I am depressed" or "I have depression"?

"I am "depressed"" describes a current emotional state. "I have depression" indicates a diagnosed medical condition. Both are correct, but they have different meanings.

What's the difference between "sad" and "depressed"?

"Sad" describes a temporary feeling of unhappiness, while "depressed" suggests a more prolonged and severe state of low mood that may require clinical attention. Depression also often includes other symptoms beyond sadness.