bereft: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, literary
Quick answer
What does “bereft” mean?
deprived of or lacking something, especially a non-material quality or possession.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
deprived of or lacking something, especially a non-material quality or possession; often used to describe a profound sense of loss.
Can describe a state of being stripped of something vital, leading to emptiness, desolation, or helplessness. It often implies a loss that leaves one incomplete or fundamentally changed.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Slightly more common in UK literary contexts, but used identically.
Connotations
Equally carries strong connotations of deep, often tragic, loss in both varieties.
Frequency
Low-frequency, formal word in both dialects. Appears in similar contexts (news, literature, formal speech).
Grammar
How to Use “bereft” in a Sentence
[Subject] + be + bereft + of + [abstract noun][Subject] + be + bereft + (after loss of person)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bereft” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The old law was bereft of all power by the new statute.
- He felt himself bereft of dignity in the situation.
American English
- The policy was bereft of any practical application.
- They were bereft of their founding principles.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable. 'Bereft' is not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable. 'Bereft' is not used as an adverb.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. 'The company was bereft of innovative leadership after the merger.'
Academic
Used in literary criticism, history, sociology. 'The protagonist is left spiritually bereft.'
Everyday
Uncommon in casual speech. Used for extreme emotional states. 'She was utterly bereft after her dog died.'
Technical
Not used in technical fields.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bereft”
- Using it attributively (*'a bereft woman' is less common than 'she was bereft'). Confusing it with 'bereaved' (which is specific to death). Using it for minor lacks (*'bereft of a pen').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be used for the lack of anything non-material (e.g., 'bereft of ideas'), but it carries an emotional weight even then.
'Bereaved' specifically means deprived of a loved one by death. 'Bereft' is broader, meaning deprived of anything non-material (hope, reason, joy) or, by extension, a person.
It is primarily a predicative adjective (used after 'be', 'feel', 'seem'). Attributive use ('a bereft parent') is possible but less common and more literary.
No, it is a low-frequency, formal word most often found in writing, journalism, and formal speech. It is not common in everyday conversation.
deprived of or lacking something, especially a non-material quality or possession.
Bereft is usually formal, literary in register.
Bereft: in British English it is pronounced /bɪˈrɛft/, and in American English it is pronounced /bəˈrɛft/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Bereft of sense”
- “Bereft of words”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: Be + reft (like 'rift' or 'torn'). You are in a state of being torn away from something vital.
Conceptual Metaphor
LOSS IS EMPTINESS / A LACK IS A HOLLOW CONTAINER (e.g., bereft of hope).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'bereft' CORRECTLY?