From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishdeepdeep1 /diːp/ ●●● S2 W1 adjective (comparative deeper, superlative deepest) 1 going far downDEEP a) going far down from the top or from the surface OPP 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. We’ll take the boat out into deep water where we can dive. a deep narrow valley b) you use deep to say what distance something goes down from the top or surface2 metres/6 feet etc deep Dig a hole around 12 inches deep.ankle-deep/waist-deep etc In places, the snow was waist-deep (=deep enough to reach a person’s waist). → knee-deep2 going far inDEEP going far in from the outside or from the front edge of something a deep wound She was sitting in a deep leather chair.3 serious serious or severe Despite the peace process, there are deep divisions in the community. The country is in a deep recession. Evan will be in deep trouble if he is caught.4 breathBREATHE a deep breath or sigh is one in which you breathe a lot of air in or out She stopped and took a deep breath. Tom gave a deep sigh of relief.5 feeling/beliefSTRONG FEELING OR BELIEF a deep feeling, belief etc is very strong and sincere SYN profound May I express my deepest sympathy. The letters show her deep affection for him. He has a deep understanding of the environment. 6 soundLOW SOUND OR VOICE a deep sound is very low Her laugh was deep and loud. I love that deep bass line.7 colourCOLOUR/COLOR a deep colour is dark and strong OPP light, pale She gazed at him with wide deep blue eyes. The berries are a deep red colour.► see thesaurus at colour8 difficult to understand important but complicated or difficult to understand These problems are too deep for me. There is a deep issue of principle involved.9 sleepSLEEP if someone is in a deep sleep, it is difficult to wake them He lay down and fell into a deep sleep.10 → deep in thought/conversation etc11 → deep in debt12 → a deep impression13 person a deep person is serious and intelligent, but is hard to know well Henry has always been a deep one. He keeps his views to himself. 14 → be in deep shit15 → be in deep water16 ball games a deep ball is hit, thrown, or kicked to a far part of the sports field17 → jump/be thrown in at the deep end18 → go off at the deep end
Examples from the Corpus
deep• a shelf 3 feet long and 8 inches deep• Only shallow people care about appearances, so if I look like this, I must be deep.• I have always had a deep affection for your family.• She looked into his eyes. They were deep blue.• The young woman stands after she says this and makes a deep bow.• It's okay, just relax, take a deep breath.• a deep conversation about religion• George got a deep cut on his arm in the accident.• Larry had a deep cut on his left leg.• The news came as a deep disappointment to us all.• I grew up with this deep hatred for authority figures.• Be careful. The water's quite deep here.• I can't help feeling you regard them as something awfully deep, like sort of magical formulae.• He has a deep, reassuring voice, • In the lounge hung long curtains of luxurious deep red velvet.• Hal seems to be a very deep, sensitive type of person.• I'm looking for a deeper shade of purple to paint the bedroom.• Snowboarders like deep snow.• From Titron had come the first man who could withstand radiation, be it from a bomb, or in deep space.• Please accept our deepest sympathies.• The hole was deeper than they thought.• David's familiar deep voice called out to her as she walked past.• Jones has a strong deep voice.• In February the following year he wrote: I am now in very deep waters.• I tried to make my voice sound deeper when I answered the phone.deep water• But over 70 percent of the impacts on Earth occur in deep water.• She used the oars to pull out into the deep water beyond the dock.• Iden stretch for small fish on pole and maggot in the deeper water by lock.• In deep water For three years I've been wary of deep water.• If this impact had occurred in deep water its traces on the ocean floor might be extremely hard to recognize.• Orford and Aldeburgh deep water marks best.• These plants should be collected from the deepest water possible or form a shaded area such as under a bridge or pier.be in deep trouble• Everyone agrees this city is in deep financial trouble.• At home, Felipe Gonzalez's Socialists are in deep trouble.• By the time I was involved the business had chalked up losses for many years and was in deep trouble.• If everyone except Fifi and Manuel shows up at the compound, the lovers will be in deep trouble.• If he was caught, Ewan would be in deep trouble.• It was perfectly obvious from the accounts that the company was in deep trouble.• He warned management during training camp that the team would be in deep trouble if either he or Johnson suffered injuries.• Planning permission for a big housing development has been refused, and the group is in deep trouble over it.• Our governments are in deep trouble today.deep breath• She felt a bubble of hysteria rising in her throat and took a deep breath.• The Advocate took a deep breath.• I took a deep breath and ran my hands along my body.• Take a deep breath and relax.• Taking a deep breath, Eline crossed the road and walked the short distance to Joe's house.• He stirred and took a deep breath in his sleep.• She took a deep breath, then walked reluctantly to the massive door and rang the bell.fell into ... deep sleep• The princess fell into a deep sleep after eating the poisoned apple.deep one• John's smile hid a deeper one.• You get a big deep one and hold it in and like fall asleep.• There were two bullet wounds, one on the shoulder and a deeper one behind the head.• Every chance ya got ta breathe, ya take a deep one fer Mr Barraza.deepdeep2 ●●● W3 adverb 1 [always + adverb/preposition]DEEP a long way into or below the surface of something Some bones were hidden deep beneath the ground. The tunnel led deep under the mountains. We were deep in a tropical rainforest (=far from the edge of the forest). Tom stared deep into her eyes. They talked deep into the night (=very late).2 → deep down3 → two/three etc deep4 → run/go deep5 → be in (too) deep → still waters run deep at still2(5)Examples from the Corpus
deep• He was deeply offended by their remarks.• At the same time he was conscious of a deep and mysterious horror deep inside him.• For the long-term causes of the Famine we have to delve deep behind the flat time-dimension of 1922.• Earthquakes are caused by movements deep below the Earth's surface.• I suspected that deep down he was a Luddite who secretly preferred old-fashioned conventional fences.• Turtles lay their eggs deep in the sand and leave them there until they hatch.• Its lustre, long as light, Drops brimming candles deep Into the melting mirrors of the night.• Crews are working deep underground to build the tunnel.• As we dug deeper, we uncovered a large wooden chest.deepdeep3 noun → the deepExamples from the Corpus
deep• The waters of baptism represent the presence and power of that primeval deep for us.Origin deep1 Old English deop 