Deprive
/dɪˈpraɪv/
Definitions
To take away something from someone; to prevent someone from having or using something.
/dɪˈpraɪv/
To take away or withhold something from someone or something.
The drought deprived the farmers of their crops.
💡 Simply: Imagine your friend has a cool toy, and you take it away. That's depriving them! It means to take something away from someone, like their fun or their right to have something.
👶 For kids: To take something away from someone.
More Examples
The lack of funds deprived the school of necessary resources.
He was deprived of his liberty after the trial.
She was deprived of sleep due to the loud party next door.
How It's Used
"The court deprived him of his parental rights."
"Sleep deprivation can lead to various health problems."
"She was deprived of her freedom by the unjust law."
Idioms & expressions
deprive someone of something
To take something away from someone.
"The illness deprived him of his mobility."
deprived of their rights
To take away something that a person is entitled to.
"Many people were deprived of their rights in the old times."
From Middle French *depriver*, from Latin *deprivare* 'to deprive, remove', from *de-* 'from, away' + *privare* 'to bereave, rob'.
Historically, the word has been used in legal, religious, and social contexts, denoting taking away rights, necessities, or privileges.
Memory tip
Think of a 'prized' possession. To deprive someone is to take it away.