deep

Pluraldeeps

1. 1
   adjectivefiguratively

   Extending far down from the top or surface, or lying far below the surface or far inside something, physically or in a figurative sense.

   The water at that end of the pool is too deep for small children to stand in.

   The canyon is so deep that sunlight reaches its floor for only a few hours a day.

   UsageAsk How deep is it? The noun is depth: the depth of the lake.

   Oppositeshallow

   Note

   The literal core of the word, and an old one. Old English dēop already meant "profound," "mysterious" and "serious" as well as "deep," so the figurative uses are as old as the physical ones. A lake, a valley or a layer of dust can be deep, and so can a recession. Source

   Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

   • Deep descends from Old English dēop, which already had physical and figurative meanings. en.wiktionary.org
2. 2
   adverb

   Far down through or into something, whether physically or in a figurative sense.

   The hikers ventured deep into the forest before nightfall.

   He reached deep into his savings to cover the cost.

   UsageUse deep for distance: deep into the forest, deep underground. For feelings, use deeply: deeply sorry.

   Similarfar

3. 3
   adjective

   Significant and far-reaching in extent, rather than superficial.

   The reform brought deep changes to the education system.

   When the country slid into a deep recession, many small businesses closed for good.

   UsageCommon in deep changes, deep cuts, a deep recession.

   Similarprofound, fundamental, radical, sweeping, far-reaching

   Oppositesuperficial, slight

4. 4
   adjective

   Of a feeling or attitude, intense and sincerely held.

   The coach spoke of his deep respect for the players who had stayed through the losing seasons.

   Many residents voiced deep distrust of the new development plan.

   UsageFavorite partners: deep respect, deep regret, deep concern, our deepest sympathy. Before a verb or participle, use deeply: deeply moved.

   Similarprofound, strong, intense, heartfelt

   Oppositesuperficial, slight

   Note

   Compounds such as deep-seated and deep-rooted add the idea that the feeling is old and hard to change.

5. 5
   dark (color)adjective

   Highly saturated and rich in color or tone.

   The artist chose a deep crimson for the background.

   Autumn leaves turned a deep golden shade.

   UsageUsually before a color word: deep blue, deep crimson.

   Similarrich, dark, intense, strong

   Oppositepale, light

   Note

   Color and flavor share this sense. A deep shade of blue and the deep flavor that spices give a dish are both rich and concentrated. A rare noun use, in which deeps names such shades themselves, grows out of this one.

6. 6
   adjective

   Having great or serious meaning, often hard to understand fully; profound.

   His poetry explores deep themes of loss and memory.

   The lecture raised deep philosophical questions that few could answer.

   UsageMost often about ideas: deep questions, deep themes.

   Similarprofound, weighty, serious, meaningful

   Oppositeshallow, superficial, trivial

7. 7
   measuringadjectivefigurativelyin compounds

   Extending to a level or length equivalent to the stated measure or object.

   The water rose until it stood three feet deep in the lobby.

   Wading through grass that grew knee-deep, they searched for the lost dog.

   UsageA measuring noun goes first, with a hyphen: knee-deep, waist-deep; with a number, no hyphen after a verb: three feet deep.

8. 8
   low-pitchedadjective

   Low in pitch, as a voice or musical tone.

   The singer's deep bass resonated through the hall.

   A deep rumble of thunder rolled across the valley.

   UsageAbout voices and sounds: a deep voice, a deep rumble; the opposite is high.

   Similarlow, low-pitched, resonant, booming

   Oppositehigh, high-pitched, shrill

   Note

   The sound sense, used of voices, notes and noises low in pitch, from a deep contralto to a rumble. English describes pitch as height, so deep is the counterpart of high. It sits easily beside other words for tone. Ben Travers's A Cuckoo in the Nest (1922) pairs it with guttural: "a deep, guttural" sound. Source

   Checked 30 Oct 2026 · 2 facts

   • Ben Travers wrote A Cuckoo in the Nest. en.wikipedia.org
   • The work contains the exact fragment "a deep, guttural", describing a sound. en.wiktionary.org
9. 9
   holding a lotadjectivefiguratively

   Large in volume or capacity; able to hold or contain a great amount.

   Investors with deep reserves can weather a long downturn.

   She took a deep breath, counted to three, and walked out onto the stage.

   UsageMostly about breathing: take a deep breath, a deep sigh.

   Similarlarge, substantial, extensive, ample, vast

   Note

   Here depth is measured by how much is taken in, not by how far down something goes. Emerson Hough's The Purchase Price (1910) has a heroine drawing a deep breath as she looks a man full in the face, and the phrase still reads as fresh as it did then. Source

   Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

   • Emerson Hough wrote The Purchase Price. gutenberg.org
   • The Purchase Price was first published in 1910. gutenberg.org
   • The novel depicts its heroine drawing a deep breath while looking a man full in the face. gutenberg.org
10. 10
    to the coreadverb

    In a profound rather than superficial manner.

    The criticism cut deep, though she smiled and thanked the panel for their comments.

    These traditions run deep in the community.

    UsageThe bare form fits set phrases: cut deep, run deep; elsewhere deeply is usual.

    Similarprofoundly

    Note

    Milton's Paradise Regained (1671) sets the word against its usual opposite, shallow, describing a reader "deep-versed in books and shallow in himself": well read, yet lacking independent judgment. Source

    Checked 3 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

    • John Milton wrote Paradise Regained, first published in 1671. en.wikipedia.org
    • The poem contains the quoted contrast between deep and shallow, describing a reader. gutenberg.org
    • The passage describes extensive reading without sufficient independent judgment. gutenberg.org
11. 11
    front to backadjectivefiguratively

    Far in extent from front to back, or in a direction other than downward.

    The theater has a deep stage that can hold large sets.

    Shoppers reached into the deep shelves at the back of the store.

    UsageAfter a measurement, 40 centimeters deep, or before a noun: a deep drawer.

    Oppositeshallow

    Note

    Depth turned sideways: for shelves, stages and chests it measures from front to back. The same measure applies to a body: a deep-chested dog measures a long way from breastbone to spine. Source

    Checked 3 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

    • A deep-chested dog's chest has considerable depth between the breastbone and spine. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
12. 12
    adjectivefiguratively

    Reaching or extending a long way, especially far forward into an area.

    The midfielder threaded a deep pass behind the defense.

    Her deep return pushed her opponent well behind the baseline.

    Similarlong

    Oppositeshort

    Note

    In tennis and soccer the word can point forward. A deep volley lands far into the opponent's court, and a deep run carries a player well into the opposition half. The same sports also use it in the opposite direction, for a position far back, so context decides. A deep volley travels toward the opponent, while a deep defender stays near home.

13. 13
    adjective

    Of a team or a field of competitors, well stocked with capable players or contenders instead of relying on a few stars.

    With such a deep roster, the coach can rest his starters without losing ground.

    This year's field is unusually deep, with a dozen riders capable of winning the title.

    UsageCommon in a deep roster, a deep field; the noun is depth: bench depth.

    Similarstrong

    Oppositethin, shallow

    Note

    Sportswriters measure a roster by how far down the list it stays good. A deep team can lose a starter and send in someone nearly as good, and the noun is depth: bench depth, depth at quarterback, the depth chart that ranks backups. A deep field, in racing or golf, is one where many entrants could plausibly win, so no favorite is safe. Source

    Checked 30 Oct 2026 · 1 fact

    • A depth chart ranks starters and backups by position. rotowire.com
14. 14
    adjectivefiguratively

    In sports, positioned far back toward one's own goal or baseline, or far out near the edge of the field.

    Protecting a one-goal lead, the visitors dropped into a deep defensive shape and dared their opponents to break through.

    A deep safety covered the long passes downfield.

    Note

    On the field, depth is measured backward from the play, not down from a surface. A defensive line that sits too deep has retreated toward its own goal and needs to push up the field. A tennis player who returns serve from a deep position stands at or behind the baseline. Keep it apart from the forward-reaching sense, where the same word points the other way, toward the opponent.

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