disparition

/dis.pa.ʁi.sjɔ̃/
nounIntermediate
general

The act of disappearing or vanishing; the state of being no longer present or visible.

La disparition soudaine de l'avion a choqué le monde entier.

The sudden disappearance of the plane shocked the world.

La disparition des espèces est un problème écologique majeur.

The disappearance of species is a major ecological problem.

💡

Can refer to both physical disappearance and metaphorical absence (e.g., disappearance of a concept).

Collocations

la disparition dethe disappearance ofdisparition soudainesudden disappearancedisparition mystérieusemysterious disappearance

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

disparition inquiétantephrase
worrying disappearance
disparition volontairephrase
voluntary disappearance

💡Pro Tip

Common Usage

'Disparition' is often used in news reports and legal contexts to describe unexplained vanishings.

Gold Rule

Formal vs. Informal

In formal contexts, 'disparition' is preferred over colloquial terms like 'évanouissement'.

📖Word Origin

From Old French 'desparition' (14th century), from Latin 'disparare' (to separate).

📝Usage Notes

In legal contexts, 'disparition' can refer to the disappearance of a person or object in a way that may involve legal consequences.

Word Breakdown

dis-
apart, away
prefix
+
-parition
division, separation
root
Dictionnaire Français-Anglais