What does bereft mean Meaning and Definition
What does bereft mean
Pronunciation
/bɪˈrɛft/
Part of Speech
Adjective
Definition
Lacking or stripped of something, typically something valuable or essential, often as a result of loss or theft; deprived of something.
Examples
- The bereft investor was left with nothing after the company went bankrupt.
- The city’s bereft of proper healthcare facilities.
Synonyms
- Desolate
- Depressed
Antonyms
- Fortified
- Supplied
Etymology
Bereft comes from the Old English words “bēroft” and “bēraph”, which mean “deprived” or “robbed”, and is related to the Proto-Germanic word “*beriz”, meaning “to bereave”.
Usage Notes
Bereft is typically used to describe a loss or deprivation that has left something or someone in a state of emptiness or shortage. It can be used to describe physical or emotional emptiness.
Cultural References
The word “bereft” has been used in various literary and cinematic works to describe the emotional state of characters.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- To be bereft of something
- Bereft of hope
Related Words or Phrases
- Deprived
- Lacking
- Strip
Collocations
- Bereft of resources
- Bereft of identity
Frequency of Use
Bereft is a relatively uncommon word in modern language, but it is still used to convey a sense of loss or deprivation.
Common Misspellings
- Burfeft
- Birift