Depart

/dɪˈpɑːrt/

verbBeginner📊CommonAction
3 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

To go away or leave, especially to begin a journey.

/dɪˈpɑːrt/

verbneutralBeginner
Action

To leave a place, especially to start a journey.

The plane is scheduled to depart at 9 a.m.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're at the airport, waving goodbye. To depart means to leave, like when your plane starts its trip. It’s similar to saying 'goodbye' and starting a new adventure!

👶 For kids: To leave a place and go somewhere else.

More Examples

2

They decided to depart early to avoid the traffic.

3

After the meeting, we will depart for the airport.

How It's Used

Travel

"The train is scheduled to depart at 6:00 AM."

Formal

"The ambassador will depart for the summit tomorrow."

2

To deviate from a planned course of action or established standard.

/dɪˈpɑːrt/

verbneutralIntermediate
Action

To deviate or diverge from a set standard or plan.

The new design departs significantly from the original concept.

💡 Simply: When you depart from a plan, it’s like taking a different route. Maybe you were going to eat pizza, but you departed and decided to eat tacos instead! You're changing directions.

👶 For kids: To do something different than what was planned.

More Examples

2

The artist departed from his usual style in his latest work.

3

The policy departs from previous regulations.

How It's Used

Business

"The company is departing from its traditional business model."

General

"The politician departed from his previously stated position."

Tip:Imagine a ship changing its *part* of the sea, *departing* from its original route.
3

To die; to pass away.

/dɪˈpɑːrt/

verbformalAdvanced
Action

To die.

The beloved author departed this life last year.

💡 Simply: This means to pass away or to die, it is a more formal way to say someone died.

👶 For kids: To leave the world because you're no longer alive.

More Examples

2

He departed peacefully after a long illness.

3

The queen departed her earthly realm.

How It's Used

Formal/Literary

"She departed this world peacefully in her sleep."

Tip:The final *part* of life is the *departure* from the world.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

depart from

To deviate from something, to change or move away from.

"The new CEO departed from the old management style."

departed soul

A person who has died.

"May the departed soul rest in peace."

From Middle English *departen*, from Old French *departir*, from Latin *dispartire* ('to divide'), from *dis-* ('apart') + *partire* ('to divide').

The word 'depart' has been used since the 14th century and initially carried a broader meaning related to dividing or separating, before narrowing to the meaning of leaving.

Memory tip

Think of a train that is *de-parting* from the station, moving *apart* from its current location.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to divide; to separate"

depart fromdepart fordepart earlyscheduled to depart

Common misspellings

depertdeaprt

Usage

45%Spoken
55%Written