depart
B2Formal
Definition
Meaning
To leave a place, especially to start a journey; to go away from.
To deviate from a standard, path, or plan; to leave a job or position; to die (euphemistic).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a verb. In its core sense, it implies a formal or planned leaving, often from a station, airport, or post. The euphemistic sense ('depart this life') is archaic/very formal. The sense of 'deviate from' is often used with 'from' (e.g., depart from tradition).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use 'depart' similarly. 'Depart' for trains/buses/planes is slightly more formal in both; 'leave' is more common in everyday speech. No major syntactic differences.
Connotations
In both, it carries a formal, official, or planned tone. In UK railway announcements ('The train now departing from platform 2...'), it is standard official register.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK English in official transport contexts (announcements, schedules). In general usage, equally formal in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[depart + from + PLACE][depart + for + DESTINATION][depart + PLACE (formal, esp. US)][depart + this life (euphemism)][depart + from + PLAN/TRADITION]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “depart this life”
- “depart from the truth”
- “the departed (noun: the dead)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used formally for employee leaving: 'She will depart the company in June.' Also in logistics: 'The shipment departs the warehouse at 0800.'
Academic
Used in discussions of deviation: 'The study departs from conventional methodology.'
Everyday
Most common for travel: 'What time does your flight depart?'
Technical
Aviation/transport: 'ETD = Estimated Time of Departure.' Computing: 'Packet depart time.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The 14:15 service to Edinburgh departs from platform 6.
- He decided to depart from established procedure.
- We shall depart after lunch.
American English
- The flight departs JFK at 19:00.
- The senator departed Washington amid the controversy.
- They departed from the original plan.
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverb form 'departly'. Use 'departing' as gerund or adjective.)
American English
- (No standard adverb form 'departly'. Use 'departing' as gerund or adjective.)
adjective
British English
- The departed souls were remembered. (archaic/formulaic)
- On the departed flight, all bags were checked. (rare, 'departed' as past participle adjective)
American English
- The departed CEO left a strong legacy.
- Please check the status of the departed truck. (logistics)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The bus departs at ten o'clock.
- We will depart soon.
- What time do you depart?
- Please check the screen to see when your train departs.
- They departed for their holiday early in the morning.
- The manager departed from his usual routine.
- The ship is scheduled to depart from Southampton at high tide.
- Her latest novel departs significantly from her earlier style.
- After the meeting, he departed without another word.
- The committee's report departs from the government's official line on several key points.
- He departed the firm under somewhat mysterious circumstances.
- The theory represents a radical departure from previous thinking.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an AIRPORT DEPARTure board. The word is on signs everywhere when you LEAVE.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY ('depart this life'), CHANGE IS MOTION ('depart from tradition').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of 'depart' as 'отправлять' (to send). 'Depart' is intransitive for the person/thing moving. You 'depart from Moscow', you don't 'depart Moscow' (though US formal allows this). Use 'уезжать', 'уходить', 'вылетать'.
- The noun 'departure' is 'отъезд', 'вылет', 'отправление'. Don't confuse verb 'depart' with noun 'department' (отдел).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *'I will depart my home at 5.' (Non-standard; use 'leave' or 'depart from').
- Incorrect: *'He departed to London.' Correct: 'He departed for London.' or 'He left for London.'
- Overusing 'depart' in casual speech where 'leave', 'go', or 'take off' is more natural.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'depart' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is generally more formal than 'leave' or 'go'. It is common in official contexts like transport schedules, announcements, and business.
No, the correct preposition is 'depart for' when indicating a destination (e.g., 'depart for London'). 'Depart from' indicates the starting point.
'Depart' is more formal and often implies a planned, scheduled, or official departure. 'Leave' is neutral and much more common in everyday speech for all contexts.
Yes, but often in specific contexts. It can mean 'dead' (e.g., 'the departed'), which is formal/euphemistic, or 'having left' (e.g., 'the departed guests').
Collections
Part of a collection
Travel Vocabulary
A2 · 50 words · Words for getting around, booking trips and visiting new places.