Deprive: Definition, Usage & Example Sentences

Meaning 1：to take away (deprive)

deprive 🔊

/dɪˈpraɪv/

vt.

To take something away from someone, especially something important like their rights, opportunities, or basic needs.

Deprive meaning illustrated: a hand taking a plate of food from a disappointed person

to take away 🔊

➕

/tuː teɪk əˈweɪ/

vt.

To prevent someone from having or using something that is necessary or important.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'deprivare' ('de-' meaning 'completely' + 'privare' meaning 'to rob, to strip').

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a DEEP RIVER: the water is TAKEN AWAY, leaving it dry. 'De-PRIVE' sounds like 'deep river'.

📖 Example

The doctor warned that depriving oneself of sleep for too long can seriously affect one's health. 🔊 The doctor cautioned that not allowing oneself to have sufficient sleep for extended periods can significantly harm one's health.

🔗 Collocations

deprive of – to take something away from someone

deprive someone of something – to prevent someone from having something

be deprived of – to lack or be without something necessary

🔄 Synonyms

strip (vt.) – To take away something, especially titles, rights, or possessions, often in a forceful or complete way.

rob (vt.) – To take property from someone unlawfully; used more broadly to mean taking something valuable.

deny (vt.) – To refuse to give or grant something requested or desired.

🚫 Antonyms

provide (vt.) – To make something available for someone; to supply.

grant (vt.) – To agree to give or allow something requested.

endow (vt.) – To provide with a quality, ability, or asset.

🌱 Derivatives

deprivation (n.) – The lack or denial of something considered to be a necessity.

deprived (adj.) – Suffering a severe lack of the material and social benefits considered basic in a society.

📖 Cultural Story

Entered English via Old French 'depriver' in the 14th century. Originally used in legal/ecclesiastical contexts meaning to divest of office or dignity. Its core sense of 'taking away something essential' broadened over centuries.