What does eclipsed mean?
"Eclipsed" is the past tense and past participle of the verb "eclipse," with two main senses. In its literal sense, it describes a celestial body that has been hidden from view when another body passes between it and an observer, as when the sun is eclipsed by the moon. More commonly in everyday language, it appears figuratively, meaning surpassed, overshadowed, or rendered less significant by someone or something greater — a career may be eclipsed by a rival's achievements, or a building's beauty eclipsed by newer architecture. The word carries a connotation of dramatic, near-total displacement rather than mere competition, which gives it force in literary and journalistic contexts. It derives from the Greek ekleipsis, via Latin and Old French, originally conveying the idea of abandonment or failure to appear. Its enduring usefulness lies in capturing both physical concealment and the quieter drama of being left behind.
Of a celestial body: obscured or hidden when another body passes between it and the observer.
"The stars were eclipsed by the bright glow of the full moon."
Surpassed, outshone, or rendered less prominent by comparison.
"Within a decade, the new technology had eclipsed its predecessor entirely."
The word "eclipse" comes from a Greek verb meaning "to abandon" — so an eclipsed sun is literally one that has been left behind.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of eclipsed
"Eclipsed" comes from the verb "eclipse," which entered English in the Middle Ages from Old French "eclipser," ultimately from Latin "eclipsare" and Greek "ekleipein," meaning "to fail, leave out, or abandon" — formed from "ek-" (out) and "leipein" (to leave). The same Greek root gave English the noun "eclipse" and the adjective "ecliptic," and is distantly related to "ellipse" and "ellipsis." The figurative sense of being surpassed developed naturally from the astronomical one.
Related word forms
How eclipsed is actually used
Most often used as a past participle, both literally for celestial events and figuratively in formal or literary writing about achievement, fame, or prominence being overshadowed.
Easily confused with eclipsed
An ellipse is a geometric oval curve, while eclipsed is the past form of the verb meaning to obscure or outshine.