What is disappear? Pronunciation and usage in English

disappear means . Learn how to pronounce and use disappear through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of disappear

disappearverb

/ˌdɪsəˈpɪə/
Definition & pronunciation of disappear

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "disappear" in English. It can be tricky for some learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllables:

The word "disappear" is typically divided into three syllables:

  • dis – as in "dish"
  • ap – as in "apple" (but shorter)
  • pear – as in "pair"

2. Sounds:

  • "dis": Pronounced like "dis" in "dishes."
  • "ap": This is a bit of a tricky part. It’s a diphthong, meaning two vowel sounds blend together. Think of it as a quick "ah" sound followed immediately by an "ee" sound. It’s not “ahp.” It's more like a short, bright “ah” sound.
  • "pear": Pronounced like “pear,” as in the fruit.

3. Putting it Together:

Say it slowly at first: "dis-ap-pear"

Now, speed it up a little: "dis-a-pear" (most people say it this way naturally).

Tips for Pronunciation:

  • Focus on the "ap" sound: This is really the key to getting it right. Make sure you’re blending the "ah" and "ee" quickly.
  • Don't over-emphasize the "dis": It’s a subtle initial sound.
  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to learn is to hear it pronounced correctly. Here are some ways to do that:
    • Google Translate: Type "disappear" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/disappear/ - This website has pronunciations by native speakers from different regions.
    • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce disappear" on YouTube – you'll find many videos demonstrating the pronunciation.

Would you like me to:

  • Record myself saying it?
  • Give you some example sentences using "disappear"?

Usage and examples with the word disappear in English

Let's break down how to use the word "disappear" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different nuances. Here's a breakdown of its uses with examples:

1. To Cease to Be Visible/Audible:

  • Most Common Use: This is the most frequent way to use "disappear." It means to stop being seen or heard.
    • Example: "The lights suddenly disappeared during the power outage." (The lights ceased to be visible.)
    • Example: "When I turned around, my friend had disappeared." (They ceased to be visible.)
    • Example: "The sound of the music disappeared as the last song ended." (The sound ceased to be audible.)

2. To Vanish or Evaporate:

  • Suggests a more gradual or subtle vanishing: This often implies a gradual fading away.
    • Example: "The scent of lavender disappeared into the air." (The scent faded away.)
    • Example: "Her memories of childhood began to disappear with time." (Her memories faded and weakened.)
    • Example: "The lake water disappeared after the heavy rain." (It evaporated)

3. To Leave Without Being Seen or Heard (Often with a negative connotation):

  • This suggests someone left secretly or unexpectedly, often implying they weren’t wanted.
    • Example: "He disappeared without a word, leaving us wondering what had happened." (He left without explanation and without being seen.)
    • Example: "The suspect disappeared after the crime." (He vanished and is now untraceable.)

4. Figurative Language – To Lose Something (Abstract Concepts):

  • "Disappear" can be used metaphorically to describe the loss of something intangible like hope, faith, or an idea.
    • Example: “His hope of winning the lottery seemed to disappear after months of losing.” (His hope faded away)
    • Example: "The enthusiasm for the project began to disappear as the deadlines approached." (The enthusiasm diminished.)

Here’s a breakdown of some key phrases using “disappear”:

  • Disappear into thin air: This is an idiom, meaning to vanish suddenly and completely, without a trace.
    • Example: "The money seemed to disappear into thin air!"
  • Disappear from view: To cease to be seen.
    • Example: “The hiker disappeared from view behind the large mountain.”
  • Disappear completely: To vanish entirely; to not be found.
    • Example: “The evidence of the fire disappeared completely.”

Tips for Using “Disappear” Correctly:

  • Consider the context: The specific meaning of "disappear" depends heavily on the situation.
  • Synonyms: Think about whether "vanish," "fade," "evaporate," "leave," or "cease" might be a better fit for the nuance you want to convey.
  • Verb Tense: “Disappeared” is the past tense and past participle. “Disappearing” is the present participle (used with helping verbs like “is” or “was”).

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you trying to use "disappear" in? (e.g., a story, a conversation, a description, etc.)
  • Are you trying to convey a specific feeling or image? (e.g., mystery, sadness, suddenness, gradual decline?)

Synonyms for the word disappear

Idioms of the word disappear

disappear/vanish off the face of the earth
to disappear completely
  • Keep looking—they can't just have vanished off the face of the earth.
disappear, vanish, etc. into thin air
to disappear suddenly in a mysterious way
  • She can’t just have vanished into thin air.
  • At a stroke she could make things vanish into thin air.
do, perform, stage a disappearing/vanishing act
(informal)to go away or be impossible to find when people need or want you
  • The cat had done a disappearing act.

Practice with vocabulary disappear

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The critical data seemed to ______ from the server without any trace, causing significant concern.
  2. Unless immediate conservation efforts are made, several unique species of flora are expected to ______ within the next decade.
  3. The faint scent of pine gradually ______ as we walked deeper into the deciduous forest.
  4. After the initial excitement, enthusiasm for the new project began to ______ among the team members.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. After the final scene, the actor would quickly ______ backstage, ready for the next costume change. a) emerge b) retreat c) appear d) vanish e) disappear

  2. If the ice caps continue to melt at this rate, several coastal cities could ______ by the end of the century. a) increase b) recede c) submerge d) vanish e) disappear

  3. The subtle nuances of the artist's brushstrokes seemed to ______ when viewed from a distance. a) sharpen b) resolve c) blend d) disappear e) fade

  4. Despite extensive research, no evidence of the mythical creature has ever been found; it seems to remain entirely ______. a) visible b) tangible c) elusive d) real e) substantial

  5. The company aims to ______ its carbon footprint significantly by implementing sustainable practices. a) expand b) reduce c) increase d) mitigate e) enlarge

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The tracks of the rare animal were no longer visible after the heavy rainfall.
  2. Many small businesses in the rural area are slowly ceasing to exist due to economic hardship.
  3. The population of that particular species has significantly decreased over the last decade.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. disappear
  2. disappear
  3. fade
  4. wane

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) retreat, d) vanish, e) disappear
  2. c) submerge, d) vanish, e) disappear
  3. d) disappear, e) fade
  4. c) elusive
  5. b) reduce, d) mitigate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The tracks of the rare animal had disappeared after the heavy rainfall.
  2. Many small businesses in the rural area are slowly disappearing due to economic hardship.
  3. The population of that particular species has significantly declined over the last decade.

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