bereavement
buh-REEV-muhnt
/bɪˈriːvmənt/
The state or condition of suffering the loss of a close loved one through death.
Refers to the overall situation or period of loss, whereas 'grief' refers to the emotional feeling.
The story behind the word. From Old English 'bereafian', where 'be-' intensifies 'reafian' (to rob, strip, or plunder). To be bereaved literally means to have been forcefully robbed or stripped of someone precious by death.
Word relationships
- loss: Loss is simpler and broader, while bereavement specifically implies grief due to death.
- deprivation: Deprivation refers to lacking essential items, not specifically death.
Commonly confused with
- grief: Bereavement is the objective state of having lost someone; grief is the subjective emotion.
Word family
- bereaved (adjective / noun): Deprived of a loved one through death; those who are grieving.
- bereave (verb): To deprive someone of a relative or friend through death.
Collocations
- bereavement leave
- bereavement counseling
- period of bereavement
- time of bereavement
Example sentences
- "The company provides three weeks of paid bereavement leave for employees who lose an immediate family member." Workplace policy
- "She sought bereavement counseling to help cope with the sudden loss of her husband." Psychological counseling
Memory hook
BE + REAVED (robbed). Death has robbed you of someone dear. Stripped of a loved one by fate.
When not to use
Do not use for temporary losses like losing a job, losing money, or ending a non-fatal relationship.
Fun facts
- The root 'reafian' is also the source of the modern English word 'bereft' and the noun 'robber'.
Related words
Explore more words
solace, devastation, condolence, deprivation, homesick, despair
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