French word

déprimer

Pronunciation

IPA/depʁime/

Meaning

  • verbfeel depressed

Example

Depuis la rupture, il se déprime.

Since the breakup, he has been feeling depressed.

Illustration for déprimer (feel depressed)

More examples

La pluie me déprime souvent.

The rain often depresses me.

Core concept

The mind feels pushed downward, with its energy and mood sinking, and the same downward effect can act on another person.

Common phrases

  • se déprimer

    get depressed

  • déprimer quelqu'un

    depress someone

Similar words

avoir le cafard: Feel gloomy, downhearted, and lacking in energy.
broyer du noir: Dwell on pessimistic thoughts and sink into a low mood.
se morfondre: Wallow quietly in sadness or loneliness.
se décourager: Lose the motivation and courage to keep trying.

Definition in French

Se sentir abattu, sans énergie ou triste; peut aussi signifier provoquer la tristesse chez autrui.

Word origin

French déprimer is based on Latin deprimere, 'press down', from de- and premere, and its figurative sense refers to bringing spirits down.

Usage tips

  • The reflexive form se déprimer appears when the subject experiences the decline, whereas déprimer quelqu'un means to cause that person sadness or discouragement.

Other meanings

  • discourageverb
  • depressverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word