Definition of Depression
Quick Meaning of Depression
A serious mental illness where a person feels very sad and loses interest in things they usually enjoy.
Detailed Definition of Depression
A mental health condition characterized by persistent sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in daily activities.
How to Pronounce Depression
Stress pattern: oOo (3-syllable word).
Tip: Stress the second syllable (pres). The final syllable has a schwa-like sound before the /n/.
Watch out: Often mispronounced with initial stress /ˈdɛprɛʃən/ instead of second-syllable stress.
Origin and Etymology of Depression
From Latin deprimere (to press down), with -ion suffix.
How to Use Depression in a Sentence
Each example shows “depression” with a CEFR level so learners can pick examples that match their fluency.
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“After losing his job, he struggled with depression for several months.”
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“Clinical depression affects how a person thinks, feels, and functions daily.”
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“Talking to a therapist helped her manage her depression.”
Synonyms and Antonyms of Depression
Common Synonyms for Depression
Smart Synonyms for Depression — When to Use Each
- despondency
- for a deep emotional state without clinical diagnosis
- melancholy
- when describing a poetic or prolonged sadness
Antonyms of Depression
Common Collocations with Depression
These phrases pair with “depression” in everyday English:
- clinical depression
- suffer from depression
- treat depression
- postpartum depression
- severe depression
Common Mistakes When Using Depression
Even fluent speakers slip up with “depression”. Here’s how to avoid the most common errors:
- ✗ Wrong: She is depressing because she lost her job.
- ✓ Correct: She is depressed because she lost her job.
- Why: 'Depressed' describes the person's emotional state; 'depressing' describes something that causes sadness.
- ✗ Wrong: He has a heavy depression.
- ✓ Correct: He suffers from depression / He is struggling with depression.
- Why: Do not use 'heavy' with depression; use 'suffers from' or 'struggles with'.
Other Forms of Depression
- Noun: depression
- Adjective: depressed
Frequently Asked Questions About Depression
What is the meaning of "Depression"?
A serious mental illness where a person feels very sad and loses interest in things they usually enjoy.
How do you pronounce "Depression"?
The IPA is /dɪˈprɛʃən/. Stress the second syllable (pres). The final syllable has a schwa-like sound before the /n/.
What part of speech is "Depression"?
"Depression" is a noun at B2 level (Common European Framework).
What are synonyms for "Depression"?
Common synonyms include despondency, sadness, melancholy.
How do you use "Depression" in a sentence?
For example: "After losing his job, he struggled with depression for several months."