deep
1 of 3adjective
ˈdēp 
1
: extending far from some surface or area: such as
a
: extending far downward
a deep well
a deep chasm
b(1)
: extending well inward from an outer surface
a deep gash
a deep-chested animal
(2)
: not located superficially within the body
deep pressure receptors in muscles
c
: extending well back from a surface accepted as front
a deep closet
d
: extending far laterally from the center
deep borders of lace
e
sports : occurring or located near the outer limits of the playing area
hit to deep right field
f
sports : thrown or hit for a considerable distance : thrown or hit deep (see deep entry 2 sense 3b)
a deep pass
a deep fly ball
2
: having a specified extension in an implied direction usually downward or backward
a shelf 20 inches deep
cars parked three-deep
3
a
: difficult to penetrate or comprehend : recondite
deep mathematical problems
deep discussions on the meaning of life
b
: mysterious, obscure
a deep dark secret
c
: grave or lamentable in nature or effect
in deepest disgrace
d
: of penetrating intellect : wise
a deep thinker
e
: intensely engrossed or immersed
she was deep in her book
f
: characterized by profundity of feeling or quality
a deep sleep
also : deep-seated
deep religious beliefs
4
a
of color : high in saturation and low in lightness
a deep red
b
: having a low musical pitch (see pitch entry 4 sense 4b) or pitch range
a deep voice
5
a
: situated well within the boundaries
a house deep in the woods
b
: remote in time or space
found deep in rural England
c
: being below the level of consciousness
deep neuroses
d
: covered, enclosed, or filled to a specified degree —usually used in combination
ankle-deep in mud
6
: large
deep discounts
7
: having many good players
a deep bullpen
deeply adverb
deepness noun
deep
2 of 3adverb
1
: to a great depth : deeply
still waters run deep
tunneled deep into the earth
2
: far on : late
danced deep into the night
3
sports
a
: near the outer limits of the playing area
the shortstop was playing deep
b
: long sense 6
threw deep to the wide receiver
hit the ball deep to right field
deep
3 of 3noun
1
a
: a vast or immeasurable extent : abyss
b(1)
: the extent of surrounding space or time
the azure deep
(2)
nautical : ocean
the briny deep
2
: any of the deep portions of a body of water
specifically : a generally long and narrow area in the ocean where the depth exceeds 3000 fathoms (5500 meters)
the Aldrich Deep in the south Pacific
3
: the middle or most intense part
in the deep of winter
4
nautical : any of the fathom points on a sounding line other than the marks (see mark entry 1 sense 2b)
Synonyms
Adjective
- abysmal
- bottomless
- profound
Noun
- depth
- height
- middle
- midst
- thick
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective We walked in the deep snow. a deep valley between the mountains The water is deepest in the middle of the lake. She's afraid of swimming in deep water. a plant with deep roots The house has lots of deep closets. She has a small but deep wound on her arm. This enormous canyon is over a mile deep. The shelves are 10 inches deep. He stepped into an ankle-deep puddle of mud. Adverb The ship now lies deep below the water's surface. Our feet sank deeper into the mud. The treasure was buried deep within the ground. Their secret offices were located deep underground. We walked deep into the forest. The soldiers are operating deep within enemy territory. I stood three feet deep in the water. He stepped ankle-deep into a puddle of mud. Noun the kind of cold weather that we usually have only in the deep of winter sailors exploring the farther reaches of the briny deep See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Rachel Bachman, WSJ, 18 Sep. 2022 Diaz’s fly ball to rightfielder Adolis Garcia wasn’t deep enough, but Garcia’s throwing error to the plate bounced away from catcher Jonah Heim, advancing Siri to second and giving the Rays two runners in scoring position. Joey Johnston, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Sep. 2022 Each speaker expressed deep gratitude for all four honorees before presenting their night’s first award. Ahmad Davis, Billboard, 15 Sep. 2022 Johnson had a career-best 117 yards on four catches in the opener — with two of them nearly resulting in touchdowns on deep balls — but he was limited to three catches for 41 yards last weekend against SJSU. Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 14 Sep. 2022 His deep understanding of both the linear and digital businesses, and the underlying forces driving their change, has guided key advancements in our advertising products and empowered us to deliver better outcomes for our clients. Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Sep. 2022 Ground yourself in deep gratitude for a body that listened to and delivered on your wishes. Elaine Welteroth, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2022 Chance Nolan had a terrific game throwing play action and deep balls, but don’t expect that to be OSU’s bread-and-butter against Fresno State. oregonlive, 9 Sep. 2022 Cincinnati quarterback Ben Bryant had overthrows on deep balls for open receivers at least three times in the opening half. Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 4 Sep. 2022 Kirkland Crawford, Detroit Free Press, 5 Sep. 2022 Auburn had six players rotating back deep on returns. Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 27 Aug. 2022 Naya had appeared on the Dr. Phil show and had engaged with light media performances but had never really gone deep on the record and told her whole side of the story. Leah Asmelash, CNN, 16 Aug. 2022 Then there’s Salvador, who will elucidate Toltec ruins in Tula or the Aztec glyphs of Tepotzotlán but can go deep on Chicago blues, too. David Hochman, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 A year later, Matthews emerged from deep on the depth chart — eighth at his position going into spring camp and still listed fourth going into the fall camp — to become a starter. San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Aug. 2022 Preston Williams took in the Dolphins’ first punt return, and Bowden was back deep on the initial kick return, a touchback. David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2022 The freshman went 1 for 4 from deep on the evening. The Courier-Journal, 11 Aug. 2022 Below, Coiro dives deep on what else fans can expect from She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 3 Aug. 2022 Marc Lester, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Sep. 2022 In terms of big picture themes, the Weeknd maze doesn’t necessarily go term-paper deep. Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2022 Over the course of 25 practices, a fairly uncomplicated two-deep emerged for Saturday’s opener against Notre Dame. Nathan Baird, cleveland, 29 Aug. 2022 But if the prospect of multiple small needle wounds sounds slightly ominous to you, know that the punctures are more like pin pricks that are only surface-level deep. ELLE, 29 Aug. 2022 There aren’t too many questions about what the two-deep will look like, but there are a number of younger players pushing to travel to South Florida. Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 Aug. 2022 No more moving heavy bins stacked four-deep to get to items at the bottom. Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Aug. 2022 Safety depth won’t be a problem in 2022, given the experienced two-deep plus the young talent behind them in guys like Styles and Kye Stokes. Stephen Means, cleveland, 14 Aug. 2022 Calvert, his older brother Josh, Hayden Fury, Andrew Mata’afa, and true freshman Justin Medlock are all threats to crack Utah’s first two-deep, which should be released on Aug. 29, the Monday before the Florida game. Josh Newman, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Aug. 2022 See More
Adjective
Hammon had met with Wilson in the offseason, seen the strength of her deep shot and told her: Shoot it. Rachel Bachman, WSJ, 18 Sep. 2022 Diaz’s fly ball to rightfielder Adolis Garcia wasn’t deep enough, but Garcia’s throwing error to the plate bounced away from catcher Jonah Heim, advancing Siri to second and giving the Rays two runners in scoring position. Joey Johnston, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Sep. 2022 Each speaker expressed deep gratitude for all four honorees before presenting their night’s first award. Ahmad Davis, Billboard, 15 Sep. 2022 Johnson had a career-best 117 yards on four catches in the opener — with two of them nearly resulting in touchdowns on deep balls — but he was limited to three catches for 41 yards last weekend against SJSU. Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 14 Sep. 2022 His deep understanding of both the linear and digital businesses, and the underlying forces driving their change, has guided key advancements in our advertising products and empowered us to deliver better outcomes for our clients. Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Sep. 2022 Ground yourself in deep gratitude for a body that listened to and delivered on your wishes. Elaine Welteroth, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2022 Chance Nolan had a terrific game throwing play action and deep balls, but don’t expect that to be OSU’s bread-and-butter against Fresno State. oregonlive, 9 Sep. 2022 Cincinnati quarterback Ben Bryant had overthrows on deep balls for open receivers at least three times in the opening half. Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 4 Sep. 2022 Adverb
On this episode: In the first episode of this limited series, Free Press assistant sports editor Andrew Hammond sets the stage for the 1997 Michigan football team, going deep on the state of the Wolverines program. Kirkland Crawford, Detroit Free Press, 5 Sep. 2022 Auburn had six players rotating back deep on returns. Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 27 Aug. 2022 Naya had appeared on the Dr. Phil show and had engaged with light media performances but had never really gone deep on the record and told her whole side of the story. Leah Asmelash, CNN, 16 Aug. 2022 Then there’s Salvador, who will elucidate Toltec ruins in Tula or the Aztec glyphs of Tepotzotlán but can go deep on Chicago blues, too. David Hochman, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 A year later, Matthews emerged from deep on the depth chart — eighth at his position going into spring camp and still listed fourth going into the fall camp — to become a starter. San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Aug. 2022 Preston Williams took in the Dolphins’ first punt return, and Bowden was back deep on the initial kick return, a touchback. David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2022 The freshman went 1 for 4 from deep on the evening. The Courier-Journal, 11 Aug. 2022 Below, Coiro dives deep on what else fans can expect from She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 3 Aug. 2022 Noun
One morning, Gee recalled a line 40 deep of people waiting for free coffee. Marc Lester, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Sep. 2022 In terms of big picture themes, the Weeknd maze doesn’t necessarily go term-paper deep. Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2022 Over the course of 25 practices, a fairly uncomplicated two-deep emerged for Saturday’s opener against Notre Dame. Nathan Baird, cleveland, 29 Aug. 2022 But if the prospect of multiple small needle wounds sounds slightly ominous to you, know that the punctures are more like pin pricks that are only surface-level deep. ELLE, 29 Aug. 2022 There aren’t too many questions about what the two-deep will look like, but there are a number of younger players pushing to travel to South Florida. Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 Aug. 2022 No more moving heavy bins stacked four-deep to get to items at the bottom. Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Aug. 2022 Safety depth won’t be a problem in 2022, given the experienced two-deep plus the young talent behind them in guys like Styles and Kye Stokes. Stephen Means, cleveland, 14 Aug. 2022 Calvert, his older brother Josh, Hayden Fury, Andrew Mata’afa, and true freshman Justin Medlock are all threats to crack Utah’s first two-deep, which should be released on Aug. 29, the Monday before the Florida game. Josh Newman, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective, Adverb, and Noun
Middle English dep, from Old English dēop; akin to Old High German tiof deep, Old English dyppan to dip — more at dip
First Known Use
Adjective
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adverb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing deep
Kids Definition
deep 1 of 3
adjective
ˈdēp
deeper; deepest
1
: reaching far down below the surface
2
: reaching far inward or back from the front or outer part
a deep cut
a deep closet
3
: located well below the surface or well within the boundaries of
deep in the ground
4
: coming from well within
a deep sigh
5
: completely absorbed
deep in thought
6
: hard to understand
This story is too deep for me.
7
: mysterious
a deep, dark secret
8
: extreme in degree : heavy
a deep sleep
9
: dark and rich in color
a deep red
10
: low in tone
a deep voice
deep
2 of 3adverb
deeper; deepest
1
: to a great depth : deeply
2
: late entry 2 sense 1
She read deep into the night.
deep
3 of 3noun
1
: a very deep place or part
the ocean deeps
2
: ocean sense 1
Pirates sailed the briny deep.
3
: the middle or most intense part
the deep of winter
Medical Definition
deep
adjective
ˈdēp
1
a
: extending well inward from an outer surface
a deep gash
b(1)
: not located superficially within the body or one of its parts
deep pressure receptors in muscles
(2)
: resulting from or involving stimulation of deep structures
deep pain
deep reflexes
2
: being below the level of the conscious
deep neuroses
deep 1 of 2
adjective
1
as in profound
extending far downward lowered their bucket down a deep well the ax made a deep cut into the wood Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- profound
- vast
- bottomless
- abysmal
- infinite
- unfathomable
- abyssal
- boundless
- endless
- limitless
- immeasurable
- unlimited
- measureless
- inestimable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- surface
- superficial
- shallow
- smooth
- level
- horizontal
- depthless
- limited
- flat
- skin-deep
- shoal
- confined
- flush
- even
- finite
- plane
- restricted
- two-dimensional
- measured
2
as in low
having a low musical pitch or range the tour guide had an impressively deep voice Synonyms & Similar Words
- low
- bass
- smoky
- grave
- throaty
- rough
- hoarse
- gruff
- husky
- boomy
- tubby
- smokey
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- high
- acute
- sharp
- thin
- shrill
- penetrating
- treble
- piping
- squeaky
- piercing
- strident
- squealing
- high-pitched
- squeaking
- earsplitting
- tinny
- peeping
3
as in mysterious
being beyond one's powers to know, understand, or explain a deep, dark secret that he took to his grave Synonyms & Similar Words
- mysterious
- cryptic
- dark
- mystic
- uncanny
- obscure
- murky
- enigmatic
- occult
- unexplainable
- mystical
- impenetrable
- vague
- enigmatical
- ambiguous
- inscrutable
- arcane
- esoteric
- fuzzy
- metaphysical
- shadowy
- unfathomable
- confusing
- darkling
- inexplicable
- incomprehensible
- unintelligible
- imponderable
- supernatural
- unaccountable
- recondite
- numinous
- unknowable
- unanswerable
- baffling
- unsearchable
- bewildering
- perplexing
- abstruse
- mystifying
- equivocal
- puzzling
- disorienting
- confounding
- befuddling
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- understandable
- intelligible
- clear
- obvious
- apparent
- plain
- transparent
- fathomable
- evident
- unmistakable
- unambiguous
- unequivocal
- palpable
- straightforward
- manifest
- perspicuous
- patent
- open-and-shut
4
as in esoteric
difficult for one of ordinary knowledge or intelligence to understand her poetry is now regarded as sentimental and not very deep Synonyms & Similar Words
- profound
- esoteric
- ambiguous
- recondite
- abstruse
- hermetic
- arcane
- mystical
- complex
- scholarly
- academic
- complicated
- hermetical
- confusing
- mystic
- mysterious
- enigmatic
- unfathomable
- cryptic
- erudite
- academical
- uncanny
- learned
- impenetrable
- orphic
- inscrutable
- incomprehensible
- darkling
- hard
- pedantic
- unintelligible
- enigmatical
- unknowable
- perplexing
- baffling
- mystifying
- bewildering
- unanswerable
- puzzling
- disorienting
- confounding
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- superficial
- shallow
- simple
- easy
- clear
- straightforward
- distinct
- understandable
- obvious
- facile
- apparent
- comprehensible
- intelligible
- plain
- transparent
- evident
- lucid
- manifest
- fathomable
- clear-cut
- perspicuous
5
as in ambiguous
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning one of those deep passages in the Bible that can be interpreted in any number of different ways Synonyms & Similar Words
- ambiguous
- dark
- cryptic
- obscure
- mysterious
- mystic
- murky
- esoteric
- enigmatic
- vague
- opaque
- nebulous
- enigmatical
- occult
- questionable
- unclear
- inscrutable
- arcane
- uncertain
- fuliginous
- elliptical
- equivocal
- complicated
- faint
- confusing
- fuzzy
- obscurant
- shrouded
- eerie
- recondite
- elliptic
- shadowy
- muddy
- complex
- concealed
- indirect
- shaded
- uncanny
- double-edged
- weird
- misty
- cloaked
- clouded
- difficult
- hazy
- foggy
- abstruse
- indistinct
- disguised
- inexplicable
- Delphic
- invisible
- dim
- unfathomable
- masked
- incomprehensible
- impenetrable
- beclouded
- inexplicit
- eery
- indefinite
- indecipherable
- intangible
- undefined
- cloudy
- puzzling
- perplexing
- shadowlike
- baffling
- inexact
- bewildering
- sphinxlike
- undetermined
- unknowable
- mystifying
- noncommittal
- inappreciable
- obscurantic
- unanswerable
- indistinguishable
- bedimmed
- befogged
- obfuscatory
- confounding
- obtuse
- impalpable
- circuitous
- roundabout
- obnubilated
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- clear
- obvious
- plain
- strong
- distinct
- unambiguous
- unequivocal
- accessible
- certain
- bright
- understandable
- evident
- comprehensible
- intelligible
- legible
- direct
- sure
- knowable
- firm
- pellucid
- fathomable
- explicit
- definite
- nonambiguous
- defined
- visible
- straightforward
- appreciable
- exact
- tangible
- palpable
- determined
- unmistakable
- self-evident
- blatant
- self-explanatory
- patent
6
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect fell into a deep sleep after taking the potion Synonyms & Similar Words
- intense
- intensive
- fierce
- heavy
- profound
- ferocious
- terrible
- furious
- acute
- violent
- explosive
- vicious
- blistering
- exquisite
- fearful
- heightened
- vehement
- hard
- excruciating
- dreadful
- frightful
- keen
- almighty
- fearsome
- ghastly
- intensified
- deepened
- harsh
- concentrated
- heavy-duty
- hellacious
- severe
- enhanced
- accentuated
- thorough
- aggravated
- exhaustive
- emphasized
- stressed
- rigorous
- magnified
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- light
- soft
- moderate
- weak
- shallow
- superficial
- feeble
- eased
- qualified
- decreased
- toned (down)
- subdued
- moderated
- diminished
- reduced
- lightened
- alleviated
- lessened
- abated
7
as in rooted
firmly established over time a deep devotion to obtaining justice for all, even society's most disadvantaged Synonyms & Similar Words
- rooted
- entrenched
- deep-rooted
- deep-seated
- lifelong
- inherent
- persistent
- settled
- chronic
- intrenched
- persisting
- inveterate
- natural
- confirmed
- intrinsic
- hard-core
- bred-in-the-bone
- embedded
- frozen
- enduring
- unalterable
- fixed
- set
- ingrained
- abiding
- firm
- typical
- innate
- hard
- integral
- imbedded
- instilled
- inculcated
- immutable
- unchangeable
- usual
- implanted
- inbred
- regular
- customary
- inborn
- habitual
- accustomed
- engrained
- irradicable
- hard-and-fast
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- transient
- brief
- momentary
- ephemeral
- fleeting
- temporary
- short-term
- interim
- provisional
- short-lived
- impermanent
8
as in wide
having considerable extent an economist with a deep understanding of the forces that propel the global economy Synonyms & Similar Words
- wide
- extensive
- broad
- sweeping
- expansive
- widespread
- comprehensive
- extended
- far-reaching
- wide-ranging
- rangy
- infinite
- general
- far-flung
- boundless
- capacious
- inclusive
- limitless
- endless
- spacious
- roomy
- global
- unlimited
- commodious
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- narrow
- limited
- restricted
- circumscribed
9
as in immersed
having the mind fixed on something I was so deep in the mystery novel that I didn't hear the doorbell Synonyms & Similar Words
- immersed
- focused
- absorbed
- interested
- intent
- all ears
- rapt
- engrossed
- enthralled
- attentive
- focussed
- involved
- engaged
- intrigued
- conscious
- observant
- watchful
- open-eyed
- mesmerized
- hypnotized
- alive
- wide-awake
- alert
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- absent
- remote
- unfocused
- dreamy
- foggy
- hazy
- abstracted
- distracted
- inattentive
- oblivious
- lost
- unabsorbed
- unfocussed
- preoccupied
- absentminded
- faraway
- disinterested
- uninterested
- apathetic
- inobservant
- daydreaming
10
as in away
not close in time or space an episode in her deep past that she had never spoken about, even to her husband Synonyms & Similar Words
- away
- far
- removed
- distant
- apart
- faraway
- remote
- far-off
- secluded
- nowhere
- far-flung
- isolated
- outlying
- secret
- obscure
- lonesome
- sequestered
- out-of-the-way
- retired
- devious
- odd
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- close
- near
- nearby
- adjacent
- contiguous
- nigh
- adjoining
deep
2 of 2noun
1
as in thick
the most intense or characteristic phase of something the kind of cold weather that we usually have only in the deep of winter Synonyms & Similar Words
- thick
- middle
- midst
- depth
- center
- height
- heart
2
as in sea
the whole body of salt water that covers nearly three-fourths of the earth sailors exploring the farther reaches of the briny deep Synonyms & Similar Words
- sea
- ocean
- waters
- blue
- brine
- seven seas
- depths
- Neptune
- high seas
- blue water
- basin
- main
- Davy Jones's locker
3
as in abyss
an immeasurable depth or space the belief that somewhere in the deep of outer space humankind will meet its ultimate destiny Synonyms & Similar Words
- abyss
- ocean
- gulf
- expanse
- chasm
- abysm
- fissure
- hole
- cavern
- crevice
- pit
- hollow
- cleft
- breadth
- void
- stretch
- emptiness
- crevasse
- reach
- extent
- vacuum
- black hole
- spread
- nothingness
- vacancy
- vacuity
Synonym Chooser
The words broad and wide are common synonyms of deep. While all three words mean "having horizontal extent," deep may indicate horizontal extent away from the observer or from a front or peripheral point.
a deep cupboard
deep woods
The meanings of broad and deep largely overlap; however, broad is preferred when full horizontal extent is considered.
broad shoulders
In some situations, the words wide and deep are roughly equivalent. However, wide is more common when units of measurement are mentioned, or when applied to unfilled space between limits.
rugs eight feet wide
a wide doorway