Depressed

Part of Speech

Adjective

Pronunciation

English (UK): /dɪˈprɛst/

English (US): /dɪˈprɛst/

Definitions

1. Feeling or showing sadness or hopelessness.
2. Lowered in force, amount, or value.
3. Physically lower than the surrounding area.

Usage Examples

• She felt deeply depressed after losing her job.
• The economy has been depressed for several years.
• The depressed area of land formed a small valley.

Etymology

Derived from Latin deprimere ("to press down"), past participle depressus. The emotional meaning developed in modern English.

Synonyms

• Sad
• Downcast
• Melancholy
• Low
• Gloomy

Antonyms

• Happy
• Joyful
• Cheerful
• Optimistic

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

Minor variations exist between British and American English, with some dialects softening the final consonant sound.

Historical Usage

The term "depressed" was originally used in a physical sense, meaning "pressed down," before adopting its emotional connotation in the 17th century.

Cultural Nuances

In many cultures, "depressed" is used both clinically and informally to describe emotional states. Awareness of mental health has led to greater recognition of depression as a medical condition.

More Information

The word "depressed" is often associated with clinical depression, a serious mental health condition requiring treatment. It is also used in economic contexts to describe downturns in financial markets and in physical geography to describe lowered land surfaces.