What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sad
Example
I feel sad that I couldn't attend the party. [sad: adjective]
Example
She looked sad after hearing the news. [sad: adjective]
Example
He has been feeling sad for a few days now. [sad: adjective]
depressed
Example
She has been feeling depressed for months and needs to see a therapist. [depressed: adjective]
Example
He was diagnosed with depression and is taking medication. [depression: noun]
Example
The loss of his job left him feeling depressed and unmotivated. [depressed: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sad is a more common word than depressed in everyday language, as it is a universal emotion that everyone experiences at some point in their lives. Depression, on the other hand, is a clinical condition that is less commonly used in casual conversation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sad and depressed?
Depressed is a more formal and clinical term compared to sad, which is a more informal and colloquial term. Depression is often used in medical or therapeutic contexts, while sadness is used in everyday conversations and writing.
