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deep Definition

deep (dēp)

adjective

  1. extending far downward from the top or top edges, inward from the surface, or backward from the front a deep cut, a deep lake, a deep drawer
  2. extending down, inward, etc. a specified length or distance water eight feet deep
    1. located far down or back deep in the outfield
    2. coming from or going far down or back a deep breath
  4. far off in time or space the deep past
  5. hard to understand; abstruse a deep book
  6. extremely grave or serious in deep trouble
  7. strongly felt deep love
  8. intellectually profound a deep discussion
    1. tricky and sly; devious deep dealings
    2. carefully guarded a deep secret
  10. dark and rich a deep red
  11. sunk in or absorbed by: with in deep in thought
    1. great in degree; intense deep joy
    2. heavy and unbroken a deep sleep
  13. much involved deep in debt
  14. of low pitch or range a deep voice
  15. large; big deep cuts in the budget
  16. Sports having many good players in reserve a team deep in pitching

Etymology: ME dep < OE deop, akin to Ger tief, Goth diups < IE base *dheub-, deep, hollow > dip, dump

noun

  1. a deep place or any of the deepest parts, as in water or earth
  2. the extent of encompassing space or time, of the unknown, etc.
  3. the middle part; part that is darkest, most silent, etc. in the deep of night
  4. Naut. any of the unmarked fathom points between those marked on a lead line

Etymology: ME dep < OE deop

adverb

in a deep way or to a deep extent; far down, far in, far back, etc. to dig deep

Etymology: ME depe < OE deope

deep Related Forms

deep′ly adverb deep′·ness noun

deep Idioms

go off the deep end

Informal
  1. to plunge rashly into an enterprise
  2. to become angry or excited

in deep water

in trouble or difficulty

the deep

Old Poet. the sea or ocean

deep Synonyms

deep

modif.

  1. Situated or extending far down

    low, below, beneath, profound, bottomless, submerged, subterranean, submarine, inmost, deep-seated, rooted, deep-rooted, abysmal, extending far downward, fathomless, sunk, deep-set, subaqueous, immersed, dark, dim, unfathomed, impenetrable, buried, inward, underground, underwater, downreaching, of great depth, depthless, immeasurable, yawning; see also under 1.

    Antonyms shallow*, near the surface, surface. *

  2. Extending laterally or vertically

    far, wide, broad, yawning, penetrating, distant, thick, fat, spread out, to the bone*, up to the hilt*; see also broad 1, extensive 1, long 1.

    Antonyms narrow*, thin*, shallow. *

  3. Strongly felt

    intense, heartfelt, sincere, profound; see intense.

  4. *Difficult to penetrate or understand

    profound, abstruse, mysterious, recondite; see difficult 2, profound 2.

  5. Low in pitch

    bass, deep-toned, sonorous, rumbling; see bass. See syn. study at broad.

go off the deep end*

  1. go to extremes, go too far, lose one's good sense, rant; see overdo 1, rage.

  2. have a breakdown, lose control, become irresponsible, become insane;

in deep water

in trouble, in difficulty, having trouble, suffering; see in trouble 1 at trouble.

deep Usage Examples

Preposition: into

  • territory: Utility and cargo aircraft carry artillery to firing positions deep into enemy territory to achieve surprise.
  • wood: Robert Hughes To use any liquid method will probably simply dissolve the very fine smoke particles and take them deeper into the wood.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

wade: We went downstairs and waded ankle deep in muddy water and sandy sediments.

Modifies a noun

  • breath: Taking a deep breath he continued to walk to his office.
  • thrombosis: To understand the prevention and management of deep vein thrombosis.
  • understanding: How can we come to a deeper understanding of God?
  • sympathy: I offer my deepest sympathy to his family also to the band which I hope will carry on, given time to reflect.
  • sleep: The child lay quiet for a few moments, then fell into a deep sleep.
  • water: The latter name suggests the deep waters off the northern coast.

Used with adjective complement

  • delve: This book delves deeper into a subject that I touched on in a martial arts workshop.
  • dig: Dig Deep Almost There in Sidney Wood ~ Bill Nicholson.
  • penetrate: Because of their compatibility with the skins natural lipids the liposomes are able to penetrate deeper into the skin.
  • bury: There is a ' book thread ' buried deep in off topic.
  • sink: These preventative measures include: Using thawed, not frozen bait which causes it to sink deeper in the water quicker.
  • lie: Samples of pollen taken from cores bored from deep peat bogs or lake sediments are stratified, with the earliest part lying deepest.

Preposition: in

  • heart: Five years ago West Hill Golf Club, deep in the heart of the stockbroker belt of Surrey, came to a decision.
  • forest: This was deep in the forest over two hours by light aircraft and incidently two days walk from the nearest road.
  • debt: When this man went to Lloyds TSB with money troubles a salesman insisted he buy expensive insurance which left him deeper in debt.
  • snow: It continued without intermission for eight days; the streets in some places were 12 to 20 feet deep in snow.
  • soil: White campion seedlings can emerge from 40 mm deep in soil but most arise from the upper 10 to 15 mm.