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deep

Pronunciation: /diːp/

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Definition of deep

adjective

  • 1extending far down from the top or surface:a deep gorge the lake was deep and cold
  • extending or situated far in from the outer edge or surface:a deep alcove deep in the woods
  • [predic.] (after a measurement and in questions) extending a specified distance from the top, surface, or outer edge:the well was 200 feet deep
  • [in combination] as far up or down as a specified point:they stood waist-deep in the water
  • [predic.] in a specified number of ranks one behind another: [in combination]:they were standing three-deep at the bar
  • taking in or giving out a lot of air:she took a deep breath
  • Cricket (of a fielding position) relatively distant from the batsman; near the boundary:deep midwicket
  • (in ball games) to or from a position far down or across the field:a deep cross from Neill
  • 2very intense or extreme:she was in deep trouble a deep sleep
  • (of an emotion or feeling) intensely felt:deep disappointment
  • profound or penetrating in awareness or understanding:a deep analysis
  • difficult to understand:this is all getting too deep for me
  • (deep in) fully absorbed or involved in (a state or activity):they were deep in their own thoughts
  • (of a person) unpredictable and secretive:that Thomas is a deep one
  • 3(of sound) low in pitch and full in tone; not shrill:a deep, resonant voice
  • 4(of colour) dark and intense:a deep pink

noun

  • 1 (the deep) literary the sea:denizens of the deep
  • (usually deeps) a deep part of the sea:the dark and menacing deeps figurativethe deeps of her imagination
  • 2 (the deep) Cricket the part of the field distant from the batsman.

adverb

  • far down or in; deeply:he travelled deep into the forest
  • (in sport) distant from the batsman or forward line of one’s team:he swung the ball in deep

Phrases

the deep end

the end of a swimming pool where the water is deepest.

dig deep

informal use one’s physical, mental, or financial resources: dig deep—I know you can do better the generous trio decided to dig deep into their own pockets

go off the deep end

informal
give way immediately to an emotional outburst, especially of anger: now don’t go off the deep end—I’ve thought of an idea
chiefly US go mad; behave extremely strangely:they looked at me as if I had gone off the deep end

go (or run) deep

(of emotions, beliefs, etc.) be strongly and wholeheartedly felt or held:his passion runs deep

in deep

inextricably involved in or committed to a situation: he knew that he was in deep when his things began to proliferate in her apartment

in deep water (or waters)

informal in trouble or difficulty:he landed in deep water when he began the affair

jump (or be thrown) in at the deep end

informal face a difficult problem or undertaking with little or no preparation or prior experience: they’re thrown in at the deep end and have to develop skills quickly

Derivatives

deepness

noun

Origin:

Old English dēop (adjective), dīope, dēope (adverb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch diep and German tief, also to dip

deep in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of deep in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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