Spanish word

desaparecer

Pronunciation

IPA/desapaɾeˈθeɾ/

Meaning

  • verbdisappear

Example

Las estrellas desaparecen al amanecer.

The stars disappear at dawn.

Illustration for desaparecer (disappear)

More examples

El mago hizo desaparecer la paloma en el escenario.

The magician made the dove disappear on stage.

Core concept

Something ceasing to be present or visible.

Common phrases

  • hacer desaparecer

    make disappear

  • desaparecer de repente

    disappear suddenly

Similar words

desvanecerse: Gradually fade until no longer visible.
esfumarse: Lose clear shape or outline and vanish as if evaporating.
perderse: Become unlocatable so its position or whereabouts are unknown.
ocultarse: Deliberately hide or remain out of sight.

Definition in Spanish

Indica que algo o alguien deja de ser visible o de estar presente en un lugar.

Word origin

From Latin dis- plus apparēre via Old Spanish aparecer, giving the sense of 'un-appear'.

Usage tips

  • Used for both physical disappearances and abstract losses (for example stars or species), and for intentional removal prefer hacer desaparecer, esconder, or quitar.

Other meanings

  • go missingverb
  • cease to existverb
  • vanish from sightverb

Opposites

  • aparecerappearverb
  • reaparecerreappearverb

Related words

  • desaparecimientodisappearancenoun
  • desaparecidomissingadjective

Word lists with this word