deprived
dih-PRYVD
/dɪˈpraɪvd/
Suffering from a lack of something essential; lacking sufficient food, money, or other necessities.
Emphasizes the absence of something crucial, often implying that this lack is due to external circumstances or social injustice. It can apply to material goods, opportunities, or even emotional needs.
The story behind the word. 'Deprived' comes from the Latin 'deprivare,' meaning 'to take away, remove, or bereave.' It's formed from 'de-' (away) and 'privare' (to deprive). In English, from the 15th century, it has meant to be stripped of something, and by the 18th century, it specifically referred to lacking necessities, often due to social or economic conditions.
Word relationships
- underprivileged: Similar, focusing on lack of advantages and opportunities.
- disadvantaged: Lacking advantages, especially in social or economic terms.
- privileged: Having special rights, advantages, or immunities.
- enriched: Having been improved or enhanced in quality or value.
Commonly confused with
- poor: 'Poor' describes a general lack of money; 'deprived' focuses on the specific things that are lacking, which can be broader than just money.
Word family
- deprive (verb): To prevent (a person or place) from having or using something.
- deprivation (noun): The damaging lack of material benefits considered to be basic necessities in a society.
Collocations
- economically deprived
- socially deprived
- culturally deprived
- sleep deprived
- deprived of
Example sentences
- "Children from economically deprived backgrounds often face greater challenges in school." Discussing the impact of social conditions.
- "Studies show that sleep-deprived individuals exhibit impaired cognitive function." From a psychological study.
Memory hook
Think of 'DE-PRIVED' as 'DE-PRY-ed' – as if something essential has been pried away from you. Pried away
When not to use
Avoid using 'deprived' to describe someone who simply chooses not to have something. It implies a lack of choice or inability to access necessities.
Fun facts
- The word 'deprivation' is often used in social science to describe the conditions leading to social problems, such as 'relative deprivation' (feeling deprived compared to others).
Related words
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