Words / C2

bi-REFT/bɪˈreft/

Bereft means stripped of something needed (bereft of), and in older or literary use, grieving a death. Without and lacking are everyday. Bereaved is the family-grief adjective. Do not call a well-stocked lab bereft because the biscuits ran out.

Meaning

Lacking something needed or expected (bereft of); also grieving a death (literary).

Examples

• “The night lab was bereft of a second invigilator on the storm date.”
• “Without is everyday. Bereaved names grief after a death; bereft of staff is the “lacking” sense. Theft is unrelated. A missing biscuit tin is not bereft.”

Good to know

Stripped of; without (bereft of). Everyday: without. Grief cousin: bereaved. Not a snack shortage.

Near in meaning

without

New