Basic Details
Word: Bereft
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Feeling a deep sense of loss or being deprived of something valuable.
Synonyms: Deprived, desolate, void
Antonyms: Fulfilled, satisfied, enriched
Idioms and Phrases
- Bereft of options: When someone has no choices left. Example: "After the factory closed down, the workers felt bereft of options for their future."
- Bereft of joy: Feeling a deep sadness because of the absence of happiness. Example: "Since her best friend moved away, she has been bereft of joy."
Usage Examples
Example 1: After the storm destroyed their home, the family felt bereft and uncertain about their future.
Example 2: He was bereft of hope after hearing that he did not get the job he wanted.
Example 3: The movie was about a young girl who was bereft after losing her beloved pet.
Fun Fact
The word "bereft" comes from the Old English word "berafian," which means "to deprive or rob." It originally referred to being robbed of tangible possessions, but over time it evolved to include emotional loss as well.
Famous Quote
"The greatest sorrow of life is not that we suffer, but that we are bereft of love." - R.D. Laing
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "bereft" mean?
a) Happy and fulfilled
b) Feeling a deep sense of loss
c) Excited and energetic
d) Rich and wealthy
Answer: b) Feeling a deep sense of loss
2. Which of these is a synonym of "bereft"?
a) Deprived
b) Joyful
c) Fortunate
d) Lucky
Answer: a) Deprived
3. Which is an antonym of "bereft"?
a) Deprived
b) Fulfilled
c) Desolate
d) Void
Answer: b) Fulfilled
4. Which sentence uses "bereft" correctly?
a) After winning the game, the team felt bereft of spirit.
b) The child was bereft when she lost her favourite toy.
c) The sun was bereft in the sky.
d) He was bereft of attention from all his friends.
Answer: b) The child was bereft when she lost her favourite toy.
5. Which idiom means the same as "bereft"?
a) Bereft of options
b) Carried away with joy
c) As happy as a clam
d) In high spirits
Answer: a) Bereft of options
