depress - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
depress Word Meanings
- to feel sad or low in spirits
- to lower in importance or value
- to press down physically or metaphorically
depress Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
depress Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/dɪˈprɛs/
US
/dɪˈprɛs/
depress Word Etymology
de- = down + press = to push; Latin 'deprimere' → Old French 'depresser' → English 'depress'. Imagine a heavy weight lowering your spirits; you feel crushed under its weight.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Depress is a versatile verb with three broad usages. It can describe feeling sad or low in spirits, as in a temporary mood or a clinical sense of depression. It can mean to lower something in importance, status, or value, as when a policy or mood depresses confidence. And it can mean to press down physically or metaphorically, for example pressing a button or depressing someone’s spirits by weight or pressure. In economics you might see 'depress prices' or 'depress demand,' though more common verbs are lower, reduce, or push down. Note the common collocations: depressed mood, economic depression, depressed prices, depress a button. Use carefully with tone and context.
Usage Reminders
- - Use depressed for mood states or mental health.
- - Use depress to lower something in value, price, or standing.
- - It can mean to press down physically or metaphorically.
- - In economics, depressed is less common than lower or reduce.
- - Common collocations: depressed mood, depressed prices, depress a button.
Common Misconceptions
- Depress is never used to describe someone feeling happy or excited.
- Depress and depressant are the same word form; 'depress' is the verb, not a noun.
- All economic uses of depress mean prices must go down; context matters.
- Depress always has a negative moral tone; it cannot describe neutral actions like pressing a button.
- Confusing depression with general sadness; clinical depression is a medical term.
Thinking Differences
In English, depress carries emotional, economic, and physical senses with clear collocations; learners often mix up feelings with simple sadness and confuse economic use with 'lower' or 'reduce' in everyday speech.
Learning Tips
- 1) Learn three core senses: mood, value, and physical/ metaphoric pressing.
- 2) Memorize key collocations: depressed mood, depressed prices, depress a button.
- 3) Distinguish mood verbs (feel) from economic verbs (affect prices).
- 4) Practice with synonyms: lower, reduce, press down; note nuances.
- 5) Watch for safety: avoid medical terms in casual sense; use clinical only when appropriate.
- 6) Use authentic examples to fix usage in context.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What does the word 'depress' mean?
A.To elevate someone's mood
B.To make someone feel sad or low in spirits
C.To encourage someone
D.To celebrate an event
Step 2: Usage
Choose the correct usage of 'depress' in a sentence.
A.The sad movie can depress anyone watching it.
B.The bright colors in the painting depress my mood.
C.His laughter tends to depress the atmosphere.
D.Rainy days often depress people's spirits.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is a synonym for 'depress'?
A.Excite
B.Elevate
C.Sadden
D.Encourage
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'depress'?
A.Distract
B.Bore
C.Encourage
D.Overwhelm
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life context where something might depress someone?
A.A person enjoys a sunny picnic in the park.
B.The constant news of disasters can easily make someone feel low.
C.Listening to uplifting music always lights up the mood.
D.A surprise birthday party can boost someone's spirit.
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