depression
/dɪˈpreʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈpreʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈpre-shən dē-/ (ame, mw)
depression — noun
- depressionsingular
- depressionsplural
1. a mental health problem that causes someone to feel intensely sad, anxious, and
a mental health problem that causes someone to feel intensely sad, anxious, and exhausted over many weeks, while losing interest in daily activities and hobbies.
Hamza was diagnosed with severe depression after losing his job and began therapy.
be diagnosed with depression
The clinic offers free counselling for students who are dealing with depression.
Depression affects the whole family, not just the person who has it.
For many patients, a combination of medication and therapy works best against depression.
- clinical depression
the formal medical term for this condition
- major depressive disorder
the full clinical diagnosis name
- well-being
a state of being healthy and happy
文法句型
suffer from depression
be diagnosed with depression
用法筆記
Unlike general sadness, this refers to a diagnosable medical condition that typically requires professional treatment. Common treatments include therapy and medication.
常見錯誤
2. a strong feeling of unhappiness and hopelessness that lasts for hours or days, b
a strong feeling of unhappiness and hopelessness that lasts for hours or days, but is not a medical condition.
A sense of depression settled over Jenna when she heard bad news about her grandmother.
a sense of depression
After the holiday ended, Yuna felt a wave of depression that lasted a few days.
Depression swept through the team when they lost the championship match.
Beatrix found it hard to explain the deep depression she felt after moving abroad.
- sadness
a more general, less intense term for unhappiness
- melancholy
a formal or literary word for deep, thoughtful sadness
- despair
a more extreme form of hopelessness and loss of hope
- happiness
the opposite feeling of joy and contentment
- cheerfulness
a light, positive mood
文法句型
a feeling/sense of depression
sink into depression
用法筆記
Distinguish from Sense 1 (CLINICAL CONDITION): this is a normal human emotion, not a diagnosable disorder. It is usually shorter and tied to a specific event.
常見錯誤
3. a long period, lasting months or years, when a country's economy performs badly,
a long period, lasting months or years, when a country's economy performs badly, with many business failures and high unemployment.
During the Great Depression of the 1930s, millions of US workers lost their jobs.
the Great Depression (historical reference)
Economists warned the country could slide into a depression if trade policies did not improve.
Many families lost their homes during the economic depression that hit the country.
The government introduced new programs to pull the nation out of the depression.
- recession
a milder and shorter economic downturn
- economic slump
an informal term for a period of low business activity
- economic crisis
a broader term for any financial emergency
- boom
a period of strong economic growth
- prosperity
a state of economic success and wealth
文法句型
a depression
the Depression (historical)
economic depression
用法筆記
Often capitalised as 'the Depression' when referring specifically to the global economic crisis of the 1930s. A 'recession' is a milder, shorter downturn.
常見錯誤
4. a weather system in which the air pressure at the surface is lower than the surr
a weather system in which the air pressure at the surface is lower than the surrounding area, often causing clouds, wind, and rain.
A depression from the Atlantic will bring heavy rain to the coast tonight.
a depression from [direction]
The weather map showed a deep depression over northern Europe, causing strong winds.
The depression over the ocean is expected to weaken as it moves toward land.
In winter, depressions often pass over this region, bringing cloudy skies and snow.
- low-pressure system
the more common general term in everyday weather reports
- cyclone
a more intense, rotating low-pressure system with strong winds
- anticyclone
a high-pressure system with clear skies and calm weather
- high-pressure area
the opposite weather condition with higher air pressure
文法句型
a depression + over [place]
用法筆記
Used mainly in weather forecasts and meteorology. A 'depression' is also called a 'low' or 'low-pressure system.' This term is more common in British English; American English prefers 'low-pressure system.'
5. an area on a surface where the material dips downward or has been pressed inward
an area on a surface where the material dips downward or has been pressed inward, creating a spot that sits below the surrounding level.
The old mattress had a depression in the middle where Asher had slept for years.
a depression in [surface]
Water collected in a depression on the path after the heavy rain.
Sven noticed a small depression in the metal where the hammer had struck it.
Geologists studied a natural depression in the ground where a lake once sat.
- bump
a raised area on a surface
- protrusion
something that sticks out above the surrounding surface
文法句型
a depression in [surface]
用法筆記
Often used to describe physical features such as dents in metal, dips in roads, or hollows in the ground. This sense emphasises the shape of the surface, not the cause of the indentation.