deep

/diːp/

adj 5noun 5adv 4verb 2name 1

Collocations

12

1

(adj.) a long way from top to bottom/front to back

VERBS

be, look

That hole in the ground is quite deep, so we need to be careful.

ADV

really, very | fairly, pretty, quite

PHRASES

ankle/knee/waist deep

The snow was so heavy that the children were waist deep by the end of the afternoon.

2

(adj.) low in tone

VERBS

be, sound

His laugh was so deep that everyone in the room could hear it clearly.

become

ADV

very | fairly, quite

3

(adj.) strongly felt

VERBS

be, go, run

The family's love for their tradition runs deep, passed down through generations.

become

ADV

very

She felt a very deep sadness when her grandmother passed away last year.

fairly, quite

Definitions

adj

1

Extending, reaching or positioned far from a point of reference, especially downwards.

The lake is extremely deep.

We hiked into a deep valley between tall mountains.

2

Extending, reaching or positioned far from a point of reference, especially downwards.

Diving down to deep wrecks can be dangerous.

I can't get the bullet out – it's too deep.

3

Extending, reaching or positioned far from a point of reference, especially downwards.

The shelves are 30 centimetres deep. — They are deep shelves.

That cyclist's deep chest allows him to draw more air.

4

Extending, reaching or positioned far from a point of reference, especially downwards.

The water was waist-deep.

There is an arm-deep hole in the wall.

5

Extending, reaching or positioned far from a point of reference, especially downwards.

a crowd four deep along the funeral procession, and people two deep on the sidewalks

adv

1

Far, especially far down through something or into something, physically or figuratively.

The ogre lived in a cave deep underground.

We ventured deep into the forest.

2

In a profound, not superficial, manner.

I thought long and deep.

deep-laid

3

In large volume.

breathe deep, drink deep

A little Learning is a dang'rous Thing; / Drink deep, or taſte not the Pierian Spring:

4

Back towards one's own goal, baseline, or similar.

He's normally a midfield player, but today he's playing deep.

noun

1

The deep part of a lake, sea, etc.

creatures of the deep

2

The sea, the ocean.

How few! yet how they creep / Through my fingers to the deep, / While I weep—while I weep! / O God! can I not grasp / Them with a tighter clasp?

3

A deep hole or pit, a water well; an abyss.

Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterfalls: All thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

4

A deep or innermost part of something in general.

And what delights can equal those ⁠That stir the spirit’s inner deeps, ⁠When one that loves but knows not, reaps A truth from one that loves and knows?

5

A silent time; quiet isolation.

the deep of night

Thesaurus

Synonyms

noun — a long steep-sided depression in the ocean floor

trench

adjective — strong

rich

adjective — difficult to penetrate

adjective — of an obscure nature

cryptic
cryptical
inscrutable
mysterious
mystifying

adjective — having or denoting a low vocal or instrumental range

bass

adjective — (of darkness) densely dark

thick

adverb — to a great depth

deeply

adverb — to an advanced time

late

Antonyms

shallow

Idioms & Phrases

off the deep end

Extremely angry.

I told him that I'd broken the vase, and he went off the deep end.

deep water

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see deep, water.

deep down

Fundamentally; in essence; in reality

He seems like an average businessman, but deep down he's an overgrown kid with a necktie.

dig deep

To make a lot of effort with all one's resources.

If you want to join the marines, there's no room for laziness. You really have to dig deep.

beauty is only skin deep

A person's character matters more than their appearance.

"Handsome those that handsome do say I; beauty is only skin deep; it is the principle of the heart I consider.

Example Bank

6

01

The lake is extremely deep.

Wiktionary

02

We hiked into a deep valley between tall mountains.

Wiktionary

03

There was a deep layer of dust on the floor; the room had not been disturbed for many years.

Wiktionary

04

The ogre lived in a cave deep underground.

Wiktionary

05

We ventured deep into the forest.

Wiktionary

06

His problems lie deep in the subconscious.

Wiktionary

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, deep is marked as figuratively, literary, slang. Watch for register when choosing this word.

Your note

not saved

0 chars