B2noun2K

Depression

UK /["/dɪˈpreʃn/"]/US /["/dɪˈpreʃn/"]/

Definition

a medical condition in which a person feels very sad, anxious and without hope and often has physical symptoms such as being unable to sleep, etc.

In simple words: A long feeling of sadness and hopelessness.

Examples

  • She was diagnosed with clinical depression after feeling persistently sad for months.
  • The doctor explained that depression is a common mental health disorder.
  • Economic depression led to widespread unemployment and poverty during the 1930s.
  • Farmers struggled to cope during the depression because demand for crops fell drastically.
  • The depression between the two hills collected water after the heavy rain.
  • Geologists studied the large depression formed by a collapsed cave system.
  • Treatments like therapy and medication can help manage depression effectively.
  • The stock market crash triggered a severe economic depression worldwide.

Usage notes

Use in both clinical and informal contexts. In clinical terms, it's often discussed in relation to mental health. In casual situations, refer to feelings of sadness without heavy technical language.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think 'de-press' as something weighing you down.

Collocations

  • serious
  • severe
  • black
  • bout
  • fit
  • period
  • develop
  • fall into
  • go into
  • deepen
  • lift
  • affect somebody
  • in depression
  • with depression
  • the depths of depression
  • feelings of depression
  • the onset of depression
  • serious
  • severe
  • black
  • bout
  • fit
  • period
  • develop
  • fall into
  • go into
  • deepen
  • lift
  • affect somebody
  • in depression
  • with depression
  • the depths of depression
  • feelings of depression
  • the onset of depression
  • great
  • major
  • serious
  • be in the grip of
  • experience
  • go into
  • deepen
  • during a/​the depression
  • in a/​the depression
  • the depths of a depression
  • a period of depression
  • shallow
  • slight
  • small
  • depression in
  • depression on

Synonyms

  • hollow

Antonyms

  • happiness
  • joy
  • elation

Common mistakes

  • 'Depression' can sometimes be confused with 'depressive' which refers to a broader range of conditions.
  • Some people misinterpret 'depression' as just feeling sad temporarily, rather than understanding its seriousness.
  • Learners may use 'depression' incorrectly in verb form; it should not be used as a verb.