depressed
After losing his job, Mark felt depressed for weeks.
Mark was extremely sad and hopeless for a long time after losing his job.
Feeling extremely sad and without hope
She was too depressed to go to work for days.
Her sadness was so deep that she couldn't go to work for several days.
The news left him feeling depressed about the future.
The news made him feel hopeless about what was to come.
Often used to describe a prolonged state of sadness, not just temporary unhappiness.
Pressed down or lowered in position
The depressed lever triggered the safety mechanism.
The lever, when pressed down, activated the safety system.
Rare in everyday language; mostly used in mechanical or technical contexts.
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Pro Tip
Avoid overusing 'depressed'
Use 'sad' or 'unhappy' for mild emotions to avoid trivializing serious mental health conditions.
Gold Rule
Context matters
The word 'depressed' is stronger than 'sad' and implies a deeper, more prolonged state. Reserve it for significant emotional distress.
Word Origin
From Latin *depressus*, past participle of *deprimere* (to press down), from *de-* (down) + *premere* (to press). Entered English in the 14th century with the literal sense, and the emotional sense developed later.
Usage Notes
Avoid using 'depressed' to describe temporary moods; it implies a more serious or prolonged state. In clinical contexts, it may refer to a mental health condition (e.g., 'clinically depressed').