Bereaved Meaning and Definition
Bereaved
Pronunciation
/ˈbiːreɪvd/
Part of Speech
Adjective
Definition
A person who has experienced the loss of a loved one through death, especially a parent, spouse, or child.
Examples
- The bereaved family struggled to come to terms with their loss.
- The grief counseling center offered support to the bereaved.
Synonyms
- Mourner
- Grieving
Antonyms
- Unaffected
- Unemotional
Etymology
The word “bereaved” comes from the Old English words “be” meaning “to be deprived of” and “reaved” meaning “to seize or take away”.
Usage Notes
The term “bereaved” is often used in formal or official contexts, such as in funeral services or cemetery inscriptions. In informal settings, people may use terms like “grieving” or “mourning” to refer to someone who has experienced a loss.
Cultural References
The concept of bereavement has been explored in various forms of literature and media, such as novels like “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green and films like “A Monster Calls” directed by J.A. Bayona.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Expressions like “to be left bereaved” or “to be grieving” are common idioms that convey the idea of experiencing a loss.
Related Words or Phrases
Words like “grief”, “mourning”, and “loss” are closely related to the concept of bereavement.
Collocations
Collocations like “bereaved family” or “bereaved loved ones” are common ways to use the word in context.
Frequency of Use
The word “bereaved” is not as commonly used as other terms like “grieving” or “mourning”, but it is still a widely recognized and respected term.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of the word “bereaved” include “buried”, “beavied”, and “beraved”.