Inflected forms: deep·er, deep·est 1a. Extending far downward below a surface: a deep hole in the river ice.b. Extending far inward from an outer surface: a deep cut.c. Extending far backward from front to rear: a deep walk-in refrigerator.d. Extending far from side to side from a center: a deep yard surrounding the house.e. Far distant down or in: deep in the woods.f. Coming from or penetrating to a depth: a deep sigh.g.Sports Located or taking place near the outer boundaries of the area of play: deep left field.2. Extending a specific distance in a given direction: snow four feet deep.3. Far distant in time or space: deep in the past.4a. Difficult to penetrate or understand; recondite: a deep metaphysical theory.b. Of a mysterious or obscure nature: a deep secret; ancient and deep tribal rites.c. Very learned or intellectual; wise: a deep philosopher.d. Exhibiting great cunning or craft: deep political machinations.5a. Of a grave or extreme nature: deep trouble; deepest deceit.b. Very absorbed or involved: deep in thought; deep in financial difficulties.c. Profound in quality or feeling: a deep trance; deep devotion.6. Rich and intense in shade. Used of a color: a deep red.7. Low in pitch; resonant: a deep voice.8. Covered or surrounded to a designated degree. Often used in combination: waist-deep in the water; ankle-deep in snow.9. Large in quantity or size; big: deep cuts in the budget.10.Sports Lacking a sufficient number of capable reserve players: That team is not very deep.
ADVERB:
1. To a great depth; deeply: dig deep; feelings that run deep.2. Well along in time; late: worked deep into the night.3.Sports Close to the outer boundaries of the area of play: played deep for the first three innings; ran deep into their opponents' territory.
NOUN:
1a. A deep place in land or in a body of water: drowned in the deep of the river.b. A vast, immeasurable extent: the deep of outer space.2. The extent of encompassing time or space; firmament. 3. The most intense or extreme part: the deep of night.4. The ocean. 5.Nautical A distance estimated in fathoms between successive marks on a sounding line.
IDIOMS:
deep down At bottom; basically: Deep down, she was still a rebel.in deep water In difficulty.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English dep, from Old English dop. See dheub- in Appendix I.
d
p
ly —ADVERB
