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Bereft: meaning, definitions and examples

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bereft

 

[ bɪˈrɛft ]

Adjective / Verb
Context #1 | Adjective

feeling of loss

Deprived of or lacking something, especially a nonmaterial asset.

Synonyms

deprived, devoid, lacking

Examples of usage

  • She felt bereft of hope after the tragic accident.
  • The bereft mother struggled to come to terms with her loss.
Context #2 | Verb

being deprived or lacking

Deprive or dispossess (someone) of something, especially a nonmaterial asset.

Synonyms

deprive, dispossess, strip

Examples of usage

  • The family was bereft of their home after the fire.
  • He was bereft of his title due to the scandal.

Translations

Translations of the word "bereft" in other languages:

🇵🇹 privado

🇮🇳 वंचित

🇩🇪 beraubt

🇮🇩 kehilangan

🇺🇦 позбавлений

🇵🇱 pozbawiony

🇯🇵 失った

🇫🇷 privé

🇪🇸 privado

🇹🇷 yoksun

🇰🇷 빼앗긴

🇸🇦 محروم

🇨🇿 zbavený

🇸🇰 zbavený

🇨🇳 失去

🇸🇮 oropan

🇮🇸 sviptur

🇰🇿 айырылған

🇬🇪 მოკლებული

🇦🇿 məhrum

🇲🇽 privado

Etymology

The word 'bereft' originated from Middle English, from Old English 'berǣft', past participle of 'berēafian' (meaning 'to deprive of'), from 'be-' (completely) + 'rēafian' (to reave). It has been used in English literature for centuries to express the feeling of loss or deprivation.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,713, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.