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# the dearly departed

phrase (noun phrase, «the dearly departed»; used as a plural or singular noun for dead people)

«the dearly departed» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism, polite and formal) the dead person or people, especially ones who were loved.
2. (humorous) someone who has left a job, a group or a place, not died at all.

### In the lessons

Heard at funerals, in prayers and in church services, where it shows love and respect for the dead («We are gathered here to remember the dearly departed»). Because it is so solemn, people also use it jokingly for things or people that are simply gone (an old car, a former boss). Register: formal-polite, or ironic.

### Examples

- (funeral) We are gathered here today to honour our dearly departed.
- (church) Let us pray for the souls of the dearly departed.
- Grandma lit a candle for her dearly departed husband.
- (joke) My dearly departed phone fell into the bath last night.
- (office gossip) Our dearly departed manager left us all his unfinished reports.
- (story) The ghost said it was one of the dearly departed of the old house.
- On the anniversary they visit the graves of the dearly departed.

### Note

Trap: «departed» here does not mean someone left on a train — it means died. The jokey use about a broken phone or ex-boss can sound rude if a real death is close. «The dearly departed» takes a plural verb when it means many dead people.