disappear

USAGE SUMMARY

"disappear" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when something is no longer visible, ceases to exist, or when someone leaves without saying goodbye. For example: "The cat disappeared into the shadows as soon as I opened the door."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Opinion

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

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

"All the political parties come here and make big promises, but after the election they just disappear.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "disappear" to convey a sense of something vanishing suddenly or gradually, depending on the context. It can apply to physical objects, people, or abstract concepts like opportunities or feelings.

Common error

Avoid using "disappear" when a more specific verb like "hide", "leave", or "dissolve" would be more accurate. For instance, instead of saying "The evidence disappeared", consider "The evidence was concealed" if concealment is the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The verb "disappear" primarily functions as an intransitive verb, indicating that something or someone ceases to be visible or present. According to Ludwig AI, it can also be transitive, meaning to cause something to vanish. The numerous examples on Ludwig demonstrate its versatile usage across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Travel

13%

Opinion

12%

Less common in

Sport

3%

Arts

3%

Lifestyle

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disappear" is a versatile verb with the primary function of indicating something vanishing or ceasing to exist. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. It is most frequently used in News & Media, Travel, and Opinion, and its register is generally neutral. Related phrases include "vanish", "fade away", and "evaporate", each offering nuances in meaning. When writing, use "disappear" precisely to convey the intended sense of vanishing, and avoid using it when a more specific verb would be more accurate. According to Ludwig's extensive example base, the word sees frequent usage across reliable sources, marking it as safe and idiomatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vanish

A more direct synonym, implying a sudden and complete disappearance.

fade away

Suggests a gradual disappearance, often used for things that lose intensity or importance.

evaporate

Implies disappearing like water turning into vapor, often used metaphorically.

melt away

Similar to fade away, but often used for things that dissolve or lose form.

go missing

Typically used when someone or something is lost and their location is unknown.

dematerialize

Suggests a more scientific or fantastical disappearance, ceasing to exist in a physical form.

cease to exist

A more formal and absolute way of saying something disappears entirely.

become invisible

Implies that something is still present but cannot be seen.

slip away

Suggests a subtle or unnoticed disappearance, often used for opportunities or feelings.

pass from view

A more literary way of saying something is no longer visible.

FAQs

How can I use "disappear" in a sentence?

You can use "disappear" to describe something vanishing from sight or ceasing to exist, as in "The magician made the rabbit disappear" or "My worries seemed to disappear after the vacation".

What can I say instead of "disappear"?

You can use alternatives like "vanish", "fade away", or "evaporate" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "disappear" or "to disappear"?

"Disappear" is the base form of the verb. "To disappear" is the infinitive form, used with auxiliary verbs or as a noun. For example, "I saw the ship disappear" versus "My goal is to disappear from their radar".

What's the difference between "disappear" and "go missing"?

"Disappear" implies a complete vanishing, whereas "go missing" suggests that someone or something is lost and their location is unknown. "Go missing" often implies a search is underway.