Deceased Definition & Meaning

American

British

Related Words

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms deceased American [dih-seest] / dɪˈsist /

adjective

1. no longer living; dead.

noun

1. the deceased,

   1. the particular dead person or persons referred to.

   2. dead persons collectively.

      to speak well of the deceased.

deceased British / dɪˈsiːst /

adjective

1. 1. a more formal word for dead

   2. ( as noun )

      the deceased

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See dead.

Other Word Forms

• undeceased adjective

Etymology

Origin of deceased

First recorded in 1480–90; decease + -ed 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Life-saving measures were attempted on a woman but she was already deceased.

From BBC

The deceased from the past and the present convene here.

From Los Angeles Times

But it may have found a solution: With the help of a German entrepreneur, cemetery officials believe they can profitably augment the property by turning the deceased into gardening soil.

From The Wall Street Journal

In handing down her sentence, Frimpong noted that the thefts occurred “while Mr. Wilding’s deceased body was in his home.”

From Los Angeles Times

As they reach old age, the business of burial is poised for an influx of money and new ideas, including biodegradable coffins and holograms of the deceased to display as digital memorials.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• corpse
• dead body

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.