Depleted
/dɪˈpliːtɪd/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo diminish or exhaust the quantity or supply of something.
/dɪˈpliːtɪd/
To reduce or exhaust the supply of something.
The heavy rainfall depleted the river's banks.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're playing video games and your energy bar goes down. When it gets low, you've *depleted* your energy! It's like when you use up all your candy.
👶 For kids: When something is used up and there's not much left, like when you eat all your snacks!
More Examples
Constant use had depleted the batteries.
The excessive spending depleted their savings.
How It's Used
"The overuse of resources depleted the forest's natural beauty."
"The company's profits were depleted after a major investment."
"Running a marathon can deplete your energy reserves."
Reduced in amount; emptied.
/dɪˈpliːtɪd/
Having had its supply reduced or exhausted.
The team was left with a depleted roster due to injuries.
💡 Simply: Imagine a water bottle after a long hike: it's *depleted*! It's like the opposite of full and ready to go.
👶 For kids: When something is almost gone, like your toy batteries are almost dead!
More Examples
The land, once fertile, was now depleted.
After a long journey, their water supply was severely depleted.
How It's Used
"The depleted uranium used in the projectiles is controversial."
"The patient’s immune system was severely depleted after the chemotherapy."
From Latin *deplere* ('to empty out, to remove from full'), from *de-* ('down, away') + *plere* ('to fill').
The word 'deplete' has been in use since the early 17th century, initially to describe the draining of fluids or supplies.
Memory tip
Imagine emptying a bucket of water—you've depleted it.
Word Origin
"to empty out, remove from full"