- deep
- [[t]di͟ːp[/t]]
♦♦deeper, deepest1) ADJ-GRADED If something is deep, it extends a long way down from the ground or from the top surface of something.
The water is very deep and mysterious-looking...
Den had dug a deep hole in the centre of the garden...
Kelly swore quietly, looking at the deep cut on his left hand.
...a deep ravine.
Ant:Derived words:deeply ADV-GRADED ADV after v, ADV adj/-edThere isn't time to dig deeply and put in manure or compost...
It removes deeply embedded dirt and grease so allowing your horse's skin to breathe more easily.
ADV-GRADED: ADV prep/adv, ADV after vDeep is also an adverb.Deep in the earth's crust the rock may be subjected to temperatures high enough to melt it... Gingerly, she put her hand in deeper, to the bottom.
2) ADJ-GRADED A deep container, such as a cupboard, extends or measures a long distance from front to back.The wardrobe was very deep.
3) ADJ-GRADED: amount ADJ, n ADJ, how ADJ, as ADJ as, ADJ-compar than You use deep to talk or ask about how much something measures from the surface to the bottom, or from front to back.I found myself in water only three feet deep...
The mud is ankle deep around Shush Square...
How deep did the snow get?
COMB in ADJDeep is also a combining form....an inch-deep stab wound. ...one of the many points on the river where the water runs thigh-deep.
4) ADV-GRADED: ADV prep/adv, ADV after v Deep in an area means a long way inside it.Picking up his bag the giant strode off deep into the forest.
...deep inside the country...
The first goal originated from a free-kick deep inside Everton's half.
5) ADJ-GRADED In sports such as soccer, football, and tennis, a deep shot or pass is one that sends the ball a long way towards the end of the pitch or court. [JOURNALISM]...Steve Staunton's deep cross.
...a deep volley.
Ant:6) ADV: num ADV If you say that things or people are two, three, or four deep, you mean that there are two, three, or four rows or layers of them there.A crowd three deep seemed paralysed by the images on these monitors...
The rest of the space was taken up by cardboard boxes piled right to the ceiling, ten deep.
7) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n (emphasis) You use deep to emphasize the seriousness, strength, importance, or degree of something.I had a deep admiration for Sartre.
...a period of deep personal crisis...
This attitude was in deep contrast with popular feeling in the rest of Italy...
He wants to express his deep sympathy to the family.
Syn:Derived words:deeply ADV-GRADEDOur meetings and conversations left me deeply depressed...
He loved his brother deeply.
8) ADV-GRADED: ADV prep/adv, ADV with cl If you experience or feel something deep inside you or deep down, you feel it very strongly even though you do not necessarily show it.I kept reassuring them but deep in my heart I knew we had no hope...
Deep down, she supported her husband's involvement in the organization.
Syn:inwardly9) ADJ-GRADED: ADJ n If you are in a deep sleep, you are sleeping peacefully and it is difficult to wake you.Una soon fell into a deep sleep.
Ant:Derived words:10) ADJ-GRADED: v-link ADJ in n If you are deep in thought or deep in conversation, you are concentrating very hard on what you are thinking or saying and are not aware of the things that are happening around you.Abby had been so deep in thought that she had walked past her aunt's car without even seeing it...
Before long, we were deep in conversation.
Syn:11) ADJ: ADJ n A deep look seems to see right into your mind. [LITERARY]Peter gave him a long deep look.
Derived words:deeply ADV-GRADED ADV after v, ADV prepThat's when he turned to me, looked deeply into my eyes and said, `Something's happening and we both feel it, don't we?'
ADV-GRADEDDeep is also an adverb.He paused, staring deep into Mary's eyes.
12) ADJ-GRADED: ADJ n A deep breath or sigh uses or fills the whole of your lungs.Cal took a long, deep breath, struggling to control his own emotions...
At last he gave a deep sigh.
Derived words:13) COMB in COLOUR You use deep to describe colours that are strong and fairly dark.The sky was peach-colored in the east, deep blue and starry in the west...
The tree has gnarled red branches and deep green leaves.
Ant:ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ nDeep is also an adjective.These Amish cushions in traditional deep colours are available in two sizes.
14) ADJ-GRADED A deep sound is low in pitch.His voice was deep and mellow...
They heard a deep, distant roar.
Ant:15) ADJ-GRADED If you describe someone as deep, you mean that they are quiet and reserved in a way that makes you think that they have good qualities such as intelligence or determination.James is a very deep individual...
That expressionless face had seemed deep and mysterious.
Ant:16) ADJ-GRADED If you describe something such as a problem or a piece of writing as deep, you mean that it is important, serious, or complicated.This is a very deep question...
They're written as adventure stories. They're not intended to be deep.
17) ADV-GRADED: ADV in/into n If you are deep in debt, you have a lot of debts.He is so deep in debt and desperate for money that he's apparently willing to say anything...
The company is sliding even deeper into the red.
Derived words:deeply ADV-GRADED ADV in/into nBecause of her medical and her legal bills, she is now penniless and deeply in debt.
18) N-SING: the N The deep means the sea. [LITERARY]...a vast unfrequented pool, traversed by whales and creatures of the deep.
19) PHRASE: PHR after v, PHR with cl If you know something deep down or deep down inside, you know that it is true, but you are not always conscious of it or willing to admit it to yourself.We knew deep down that we could do it...
Deep down, we had always detested each other.
20) PHRASE: V inflects If you say that you took a deep breath before doing something dangerous or frightening, you mean that you tried to make yourself feel strong and confident.I took a deep breath and went in.
21) PHRASE: V inflects If you say that something goes deep or runs deep, you mean that it is very serious or strong and is hard to change.His anger and anguish clearly went deep...
The problems went deeper than mere teething difficulties.
English dictionary. 2008.
