bereft — deprived of or lacking something, especially a non-material asset
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: deprived of or lacking something, especially a non-material asset
Pronunciation (IPA): /bɪˈreft/
Example Sentences
- After his smartphone died, Tom felt bereft of his social life.
- The library was bereft of students during the beautiful spring day.
- She felt utterly bereft of creativity after binge-watching 10 hours of reality TV.
bereft
ADJECTIVE[/bɪˈreft/]
deprived of or lacking something, especially a non-material asset
a small child sits cross-legged on the wooden floor, staring at an empty fish bowl with sad, drooping eyes. The child's pet goldfish has died and been removed, leaving only clear water and decorations. The empty bowl sits on a low table surrounded by the child's other toys that seem forgotten. Moving boxes stack around the room while the child's mother kneels nearby, reaching out with a comforting gesture. Other family members pack items in the background, but the child remains focused only on the vacant fishbowl. someone deprived of or lacking something they once cherished
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Old English 'bereafian' meaning 'to rob or deprive forcibly.' The past participle form gradually evolved into an adjective describing a state of being stripped of something valuable.
Breakdown
be- (intensive prefix, 'completely') + reaf- (to rob, seize) + -t (past participle ending that became adjectival)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“After his smartphone died, Tom felt bereft of his social life.”
“The library was bereft of students during the beautiful spring day.”
“She felt utterly bereft of creativity after binge-watching 10 hours of reality TV.”
“The small town was bereft of entertainment options on weekends.”
📚Related Words
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