Gone: meaning, definitions and examples

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gone

[ɡɒn ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

past

no longer in existence; absent or missing

Synonyms

departed, disappeared, vanished.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gone	Use when something or someone is no longer present, often in casual or neutral contexts. My keys are gone!; The milk is gone, we need to buy more
disappeared	Suggests something or someone is missing unexpectedly or suddenly, often carries a sense of mystery or concern. My cat disappeared last night ; The plane disappeared from radar
vanished	Implies something or someone has disappeared completely and often mysteriously, frequently used in dramatic or intense situations. The magician vanished in a puff of smoke ; The ancient civilization vanished without a trace
departed	Formal usage, often to describe someone who has left, especially in the context of travel or passing away. The train has departed ; He mourned his departed friend

Examples of usage

The sun had gone down by the time we reached the beach.
She had gone to the store when I called her.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

past

leave or depart from a place

Synonyms

depart, leave, move.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gone	Used to indicate that someone or something is no longer present or available. By the time I arrived, he was already gone. All the cookies are gone.
leave	Commonly used in everyday conversation to indicate that someone is going away from a place. It can also imply abandoning or ceasing to be involved with something or someone. I need to leave for work now. She decided to leave the company after five years.
depart	Often used in formal or official contexts to mean leaving a place, especially a departure that has been scheduled. The train will depart from platform 2 at 6 PM. Ladies and gentlemen, we are now ready to depart for our final destination.
move	Generally indicates changing position or location, sometimes implying a change of residence or a more deliberate action. We plan to move to a bigger house next year. Please move your car; it’s blocking the driveway.

Examples of usage

He had gone before I arrived.
She decided to go home early.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

past

a prolonged absence; departure

Synonyms

absence, departure, disappearance.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gone	Used to describe something or someone that is no longer present. It is often more casual and can be used in daily conversation. The cookies are gone He's gone to the store
absence	This word is used in more formal or official contexts to indicate that someone or something is not present. It often implies that their presence was expected. Her absence from the meeting was noted The absence of evidence does not mean innocence
departure	Refers specifically to leaving a place or situation. It's often used in travel or when someone leaves a position or role. His departure left us all feeling sad The train's departure was delayed
disappearance	Used to describe a situation where someone or something is missing and there is often an element of mystery or uncertainty. It can sometimes have a negative or alarming connotation. Her sudden disappearance puzzled everyone The disappearance of the documents is very suspicious

Examples of usage

His sudden departure left us all feeling a sense of loss.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'gone' comes from the Old English 'gan', which means 'to go'.
It has roots in the Proto-Germanic word '*gāną', linking it to similar words in other Germanic languages that signify movement or departure.
Over time, 'gone' evolved to indicate a state of absence, rather than just the act of going.

Pop Culture

The phrase 'You’re gone' is often used in songs to express feelings of loss or longing, showing its prominence in emotional expressions.
Movies often use the term to create suspense or mystery, as characters search for what has gone missing.
'Gone Girl' is a popular novel and film that explores themes of disappearance and deception.

Science

In the context of physics, when matter is no longer detectable, it may be described as 'gone', as in the case of energy transformation when it appears to vanish.
In psychology, feelings of something being 'gone' can relate to loss and grief, which are important areas of study in understanding human emotions.

Literature

Many literary works use 'gone' to convey themes of loss, absence, and the effects of time on relationships and identities.
The concept of things that are 'gone' is central in poetry, often evoking nostalgia or melancholy.

Language Usage

'Gone' is commonly used in various phrases, such as 'gone with the wind', implying something or someone that has disappeared or is irretrievable.
The word can also be used metaphorically, such as 'gone crazy', illustrating an extreme change in state or condition.

Translations

Translations of the word "gone" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ido

🇮🇳 गया

🇩🇪 weg

🇮🇩 pergi

🇺🇦 пішов

🇵🇱 poszedł

🇯🇵 行った

🇫🇷 parti

🇪🇸 ido

🇹🇷 gitmiş

🇰🇷 갔다

🇸🇦 ذهب

🇨🇿 odešel

🇸🇰 odišiel

🇨🇳 走了

🇸🇮 odšel

🇮🇸 fari

🇰🇿 кетті

🇬🇪 წავიდა

🇦🇿 getdi

🇲🇽 ido