Disappeared Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐ŸŒŒ
Add to dictionary

disappeared

[หŒdษชsษ™หˆpษชษ™r ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

suddenly gone

To disappear means to become suddenly or unexpectedly no longer visible or present. It can refer to a person, object, or even an idea vanishing without a trace. This word is often used to describe mysterious disappearances or magical illusions.

Synonyms

evaporate, vanish, vanquish.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
disappeared

When something or someone is no longer seen or found, often used in everyday situations.

  • The cat disappeared after the loud noise.
  • My keys have disappeared again!
vanish

When something or someone disappears suddenly or without a trace, often used in more dramatic or mysterious contexts.

  • The magician made the rabbit vanish.
  • He felt his hopes vanish as the deadline approached.
evaporate

Used scientifically or metaphorically to describe how liquids turn into vapor or how something gradually diminishes.

  • The water will evaporate in the sun.
  • Her confidence seemed to evaporate after the harsh criticism.
vanquish

Refers to defeating or overcoming something or someone completely, often used in a competitive or battle-related context; can have a heroic or triumphant tone.

  • The hero managed to vanquish the villain.
  • They aimed to vanquish their rivals in the tournament.

Examples of usage

  • He disappeared into the fog, leaving no trace behind.
  • The magician made the rabbit disappear in front of the audience's eyes.
  • The missing hiker disappeared without a clue as to their whereabouts.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

  • Many famous magic tricks involve making objects or people disappear, captivating audiences for centuries.
  • The Netflix show 'Stranger Things' features characters who mysteriously disappear, adding suspense to the storyline.
  • Disappearance is a popular theme in literature, symbolizing loss, mystery, and the unknown.

Psychology

  • The act of disappearing or feeling as if one has disappeared can reflect feelings of isolation or anxiety.
  • In child development, a child's understanding of disappearance indicates their grasp of absence and presence.
  • The concept of disappearance can evoke fear or curiosity, impacting mental health and emotional reactions.

Science

  • In physics, the term can describe how objects vanish from sight due to light bending or being absorbed.
  • Disappearing phenomena, like black holes, challenge scientistsโ€™ understanding of space and time.
  • The process of certain animals, like octopuses, disappearing is both camouflage and an escape mechanism.

History

  • Throughout history, many explorers and people have mysteriously disappeared, leading to countless theories.
  • The Bermuda Triangle is famous for the unexplained disappearances of ships and planes, sparking curiosity and folklore.
  • In World War II, numerous individuals went missing under mysterious circumstances, leading to ongoing investigations.

Origin of 'disappeared'

Main points about word origin

  • The word originated from the Old French 'disparaitre,' meaning to take away or vanish.
  • It combines the prefix 'dis-' meaning 'apart' or 'away' and 'appear,' meaning to become visible.
  • First recorded use of the term in English dates back to the 14th century.

The word 'disappear' originated from the combination of the prefix 'dis-' meaning 'not' or 'opposite of' and the word 'appear', which comes from the Latin 'apparere' meaning 'to come into sight'. The concept of disappearance has been a part of human stories and folklore for centuries, with tales of people vanishing into thin air or mysterious beings fading away. Throughout history, the idea of disappearing has been associated with magic, mystery, and the unknown.


See also: apparent, apparition, appear, appearance, appearances, appearing, disappear, disappearance, disappearing, reappear, reappearance.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,617, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.