disappeared

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "disappeared" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to something or someone that is no longer visible. For example: She disappeared into the crowd.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In recent years, about a third of BME housing associations have disappeared, merging with other associations, shutting down or being swallowed by larger mainstream organisations.

The Guardian

US diplomats in Yemen say they have been in contact with an American citizen whose lawyers consider him to have disappeared from jail in the country.

The Guardian

Some, like the Solomon's seal whose snake-like shoots we found forcing their way through the silt left by winter floods, may well be relicts from gardens of water mills that disappeared long ago.

The Guardian

Union influence in Scotland had declined dramatically as the old industries disappeared and membership slumped.

The Guardian

Related: Mexican man dies during violent police response to teachers protest in Acapulco Six people died and 43 others disappeared last September when a bus convoy carrying a party of student teachers was attacked by municipal police officers, allegedly in league with a local drug cartel.

The Guardian

While in Italy in 1950, with his wife and three sons, the family suddenly disappeared.

The Guardian

She left the day before the family disappeared.

The Guardian

The 20-year-old athlete, his country's leading 100m sprinter, disappeared at the end of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last August.

The Guardian

As swiftly as it came, it disappeared, leaving no trace.

The Guardian

By the time the staff realised what had happened, the note had disappeared.

The Guardian

I turn away for an instant and when my attention returns to the scene, I notice the red-streaked woman has disappeared into what I presume is the van.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "disappeared" to describe something or someone that is no longer visible or present. It often implies a sudden or unexplained absence.

Common error

Avoid using "disappeared" in passive constructions where it's unclear who or what caused the disappearance. Ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "disappeared" is that of a verb, specifically the past tense form of "disappear". As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates the action of something ceasing to be visible or present. The examples show its use in describing past events where something or someone has vanished.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "disappeared" is a versatile verb form used to describe the act of something or someone vanishing from sight or ceasing to exist. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct. With 66 examples from authoritative sources like The Guardian, it is very common, particularly in News & Media contexts. While "disappeared" is generally neutral in tone, related terms such as "vanished" or "faded away" offer subtle variations in meaning and formality. When using "disappeared", ensure clarity by specifying the subject to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vanished

Implies a sudden and complete disappearance, often without a trace.

went missing

Suggests an absence or loss, often with implications of uncertainty or concern.

faded away

Implies a gradual disappearance, often used in a metaphorical sense.

dissipated

Suggests a scattering or dissolving, often used for intangible things like hopes or fears.

evaporated

Implies a disappearance like water turning into vapor, often sudden and complete.

dematerialized

Suggests a disappearance by ceasing to be physical, often used in science fiction.

passed from view

A more formal way of saying something disappeared from sight.

ceased to exist

Indicates a more permanent and complete end to something's existence.

left without a trace

Emphasizes the completeness of the disappearance, with no evidence remaining.

became invisible

Suggests a change in state, making something unable to be seen.

FAQs

How can I use "disappeared" in a sentence?

You can use "disappeared" to describe something or someone that is no longer visible. For example, "The sun "disappeared" behind the clouds" or "He "disappeared" without a trace".

What's the difference between "disappeared" and "vanished"?

While both words mean to cease to be visible, "disappeared" can sometimes imply a more mysterious or unexplained absence, while "vanished" often suggests a sudden and complete disappearance.

What can I say instead of "disappeared" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "ceased to exist" or "passed from view" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "has disappeared" instead of "disappeared"?

Yes, "has "disappeared"" is the present perfect tense of "disappear" and is grammatically correct. It emphasizes that the action of disappearing has already occurred.