Depression: meaning, definitions and examples

Mental health condition characterized by persistent sadness and loss of interest. Often used in clinical settings or serious discussions about emotional well-being.

• She has been diagnosed with depression and is receiving treatment
• John is struggling with depression after losing his job

A general feeling of sorrow or unhappiness, often temporary and not as intense as depression. This term is widely used in everyday language.

• There was a sadness in his voice when he spoke about the past
• She couldn't shake off the sadness after watching the tragic movie

A deep, reflective sadness, often without a clear cause. It can be used in both literary and everyday contexts.

• He played the piano with a sense of melancholy
• Her eyes had a melancholy look that made him curious about her past

A complete loss of hope, often used in situations where someone feels utterly defeated. Typically has a negative connotation.

• He sank into despair after his business failed
• The constant bad news led her to a state of deep despair

A sense of darkness and sadness, often accompanied by a feeling of doom or a lack of light. Commonly used to describe both physical environments and emotional states.

• The gloomy weather matched her mood perfectly
• His constant pessimism cast a gloomy shadow over their plans

Extreme sadness and emptiness, often associated with feelings of abandonment or being completely alone. Usually used in poetic or dramatic contexts.

• The battlefield left a feeling of desolation in its wake
• After her best friend moved away, she felt an overwhelming sense of desolation

This term is used for a prolonged and severe downturn in economic activity, often over several years, characterized by significant declines in GDP, high unemployment, and deflation.

• During the Great Depression, millions of people lost their jobs.
• The country is struggling to recover from a deep economic depression.

Recession refers to a significant decline in economic activity across the economy, lasting more than a few months. It's marked by reductions in spending and increases in unemployment.

• The country went into recession after consecutive quarters of negative growth.
• Many businesses failed during the recession.

Slump is often used to describe a sudden severe fall in prices, demand, or economic activity. It often carries a negative connotation.

• The housing market is in a slump due to the economic instability.
• There was a slump in consumer confidence.

A downturn is used to describe a temporary dip in economic activity, less severe than a recession. It's typically short-term and reversible.

• The stock market experienced a downturn due to geopolitical tensions.
• Tourism saw a downturn last year.

Decline implies a gradual and continuous loss of strength, numbers, quality, or value. It is often used when speaking about industries, companies, or economies over a period of time.

• There has been a steady decline in manufacturing jobs.
• The decline in sales led to store closures.

Crisis refers to a time of intense difficulty or danger, which can be economic, political, or financial. It suggests an urgent situation requiring immediate attention.

• The financial crisis of 2008 led to widespread bankruptcies.
• The country is in the middle of an economic crisis.