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bereft

Adjective

IPA /bɪˈreft/

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Meaning in plain English

Completely lacking something important or desirable, often after losing it or being unable to find any of it.

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Pronunciation

bereft/bɪˈreft/

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You try your final idea
It does not work
You have no ideas left

Bereft of ideas means completely lacking ideas, not simply having fewer than usual.

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Examples in context

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After another failed attempt, we felt bereft of ideas.
The proposal was bereft of detail about costs and deadlines.

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After another failed attempt, we felt ________ of ideas.

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bereft — Completely lacking something important or desirable, often after losing it or being unable to find any of it.

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Completely lacking something important or desirable, often after losing it or being unable to find any of it.

Compare: After another failed attempt, we felt bereft of ideas.

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Word origin

An older past-participle form of bereave, used as an adjective since the late sixteenth century.

Did you know?

Bereft can stand alone with a different emphasis, describing deep sadness after a loss.

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