depart

/dɪˈpɑːt/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈpɑːrt/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈpärt dē-/ (ame, mw)

depart — verb

  • departpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • departshe / she / it
  • departedpast simple
  • departing-ing form

1. When a person or a form of transport sets off from a place to begin a journey, e

1.動詞不及物B1
釋義

When a person or a form of transport sets off from a place to begin a journey, especially by a scheduled service such as a train, bus, or airplane.

例句

The express train to Tainan departs from platform three every morning.

depart from + place for scheduled journey

Christopher and his family departed the resort before the tropical storm arrived.

同義詞
  • leave

    The general, neutral alternative; less formal than depart.

  • set off

    Emphasises the start of a journey rather than the act of leaving a place.

  • embark

    Specifically about boarding a ship or aircraft; more literary.

反義詞
  • arrive

    The opposite action — reaching the destination rather than leaving the origin.

  • return

    Coming back to the place one left.

文法句型

depart + from + [place]

depart + for + [destination]

depart + at + [time]

用法筆記

More formal than 'leave.' In everyday conversation, native speakers prefer 'leave' or 'head off.' 'Depart' is typical at airports, train stations, and in official travel announcements.

常見錯誤

❌I will depart to Tokyo next week.
✅I will depart for Tokyo next week.
💡The destination always takes 'for,' never 'to.'
❌We departed the party at midnight.
✅We left the party at midnight.
💡'Depart' sounds overly formal for casual social situations.

2. To end one's employment or formal association with a company, department, or ins

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

To end one's employment or formal association with a company, department, or institution, either by one's own choice or as part of an organisational change.

例句

After twelve years at the firm, Amira departed at the end of the fiscal year.

depart (intransitive) from a company

Three senior managers have departed the organisation since the new chief executive took over.

depart + [organization] (transitive, business)

同義詞
  • leave

    The neutral, everyday word for ending employment.

  • resign

    Specifically means offering a formal notice of leaving; implies the employee's own decision.

  • quit

    Informal; often suggests suddenness or frustration.

反義詞
  • join

    The opposite of leaving an organisation — becoming a member.

  • stay

    Continuing in one's position rather than leaving.

文法句型

depart + from + [company/department]

depart + [organization]

用法筆記

In business English, 'depart the company' (without 'from') is increasingly accepted in North American usage, though traditional style guides prefer 'depart from the company' or simply 'leave the company.'

常見錯誤

❌She departed her job because of the low salary.
✅She left her job because of the low salary.
💡'Depart' is too formal for everyday reasons; use it for professional announcements, not casual explanations.

3. A gentle and respectful way of saying that someone has died, used especially in

3.動詞不及物C1
釋義

A gentle and respectful way of saying that someone has died, used especially in formal obituaries, religious contexts, or when the speaker wishes to avoid a more direct term.

例句

The priest spoke of those who had departed this life in the past year.

depart this life (full euphemistic phrase)

Élise's great-aunt departed peacefully at the age of ninety-seven, surrounded by her children.

同義詞
  • pass away

    The most common modern euphemism for dying; less formal than 'depart this life.'

  • pass on

    A softer euphemism with spiritual overtones, common in everyday speech.

文法句型

depart this life

depart (alone)

用法筆記

Almost entirely restricted to formal or reverent registers — obituaries, religious sermons, formal death announcements. The full phrase 'depart this life' makes the euphemism explicit and is more common in older or liturgical English.

常見錯誤

❌My cat departed last night.
✅My cat died last night.
💡Using 'depart' for pets or in casual conversation sounds unnatural and overly formal.
❌He departed from this world' (when meaning died).
✅He departed this life.
💡The idiomatic phrase is 'depart this life,' not 'depart from this world.'

4. To be different from what is normal, expected, planned, or required by a rule, w

4.動詞不及物B2
釋義

To be different from what is normal, expected, planned, or required by a rule, whether through a deliberate choice or simply as the result of change — the difference is typically noticeable or significant.

例句

The lead architect decided to depart from the original blueprints for the new library.

depart from + plans/blueprints

Haruto rarely departs from his morning exercise routine, even when he is travelling abroad.

同義詞
  • deviate

    More precise for breaking from a rule or standard; 'depart' often suggests a conscious choice, while 'deviate' can be involuntary.

  • diverge

    Suggests two things moving apart from each other; common in mathematics and comparative contexts.

  • stray

    Often implies a minor or accidental departure; less formal.

反義詞
  • follow

    To adhere closely to a plan, rule, or standard.

  • conform

    To behave in accordance with established norms or expectations.

文法句型

depart from + [norm/plan/standard/tradition]

depart radically/sharply/slightly from + [something]

用法筆記

Always requires 'from' when introducing what is being deviated from. ❌ 'She departed the rules' is incorrect in this sense. ✅ 'She departed from the rules.' The degree of deviation can be modified by adverbs such as 'radically,' 'sharply,' 'slightly,' or 'completely.'

常見錯誤

❌The company departed its usual policy in this case.
✅The company departed from its usual policy in this case.
💡For the 'deviate' sense, 'from' is mandatory.
❌The results departed the forecast.
✅The results departed from the forecast.
💡Same rule: 'deviate from' requires the preposition.