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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | deop |
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deep1 S2 W1
comparative deeper, superlative deepest
comparative deeper, superlative deepest1
going far down
a) going far down from the top or from the surface [≠ shallow]: The castle is on an island surrounded by a deep lake. The swimming pool has a deep end and a shallow end for kids. a deep narrow valley
The castle is on an island surrounded by a deep lake.The swimming pool has a deep end and a shallow end for kids.a deep narrow valleyb) you use deep to say what distance something goes down from the top or surface
ankle-deep/waist-deep etc In places, the snow was waist-deep (=deep enough to reach a person's waist).
➔ knee-deepIn places, the snow was waist-deep (=deep enough to reach a person's waist).2 going far in from the outside or from the front edge of something : a deep wound She was sitting in a deep leather chair.
going far in
a deep woundShe was sitting in a deep leather chair.3 serious or severe : Despite the peace process, there are deep divisions in the community. The country is in a deep recession.
serious
Despite the peace process, there are deep divisions in the community.The country is in a deep recession.4 a deep breath or sigh is one in which you breathe a lot of air in or out : Tom gave a deep sigh of relief.
breath
Tom gave a deep sigh of relief.5 a deep feeling, belief etc is very strong and sincere [= profound]: May I express my deepest sympathy. The letters show her deep affection for him. He has a deep understanding of the environment.
feeling/belief
May I express my deepest sympathy.The letters show her deep affection for him.He has a deep understanding of the environment.6 a deep sound is very low : Her laugh was deep and loud. I love that deep bass line.
sound
Her laugh was deep and loud.I love that deep bass line.7 a deep colour is dark and strong [≠ light, pale]: She gazed at him with wide deep blue eyes. The berries are a deep red colour.
colour
She gazed at him with wide deep blue eyes.The berries are a deep red colour.8 important but complicated or difficult to understand : These problems are too deep for me. There is a deep issue of principle involved.
difficult to understand
These problems are too deep for me.There is a deep issue of principle involved.9 if someone is in a deep sleep, it is difficult to wake them :
sleep
10 thinking so hard or paying attention to something so much that you do not notice anything else that is happening around you
deep in thought/conversation etc
13 a deep person is serious and intelligent, but is hard to know well :
person
15 to be in trouble or in a difficult or serious situation : The company is in deep water over their refusal to reduce prices.
be in deep water
The company is in deep water over their refusal to reduce prices.16 a deep ball is hit, thrown, or kicked to a far part of the sports field
ball games
17 to choose to do or be made to do a very difficult job without having prepared for it : She decided to jump in at the deep end, buy a farm, and teach herself.
jump/be thrown in at the deep end
She decided to jump in at the deep end, buy a farm, and teach herself.18 to become angry suddenly and violently, usually when there is not a good reason
go off at the deep end
informalWORD FOCUS: colour WORD FOCUS: colour
a particular kind of colour: shade, hint, hue
words for describing dark colours: dark, deep, rich
words for describing light colours: light, pale, soft, pastel
words for describing bright colours: bright, brilliant, vivid, garish disapproving, gaudy disapproving
having a lot of colours: colourful, multicoloured British English/multicolored American English
➔ See also colour
WORD FOCUS: colour a particular kind of colour: shade, hint, hue
words for describing dark colours: dark, deep, rich
words for describing light colours: light, pale, soft, pastel
words for describing bright colours: bright, brilliant, vivid, garish disapproving, gaudy disapproving
having a lot of colours: colourful, multicoloured British English/multicolored American English
➔ See also colour
