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Deep

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deep¹

  • /diːp/

Rhymes with -iːp

Where it comes from

Etymology tree

Proto-Indo-European *dʰewbʰ-der.

Proto-Germanic *deupaz

Proto-West Germanic *deup

Old English dēop

Middle English dep

English deep

From Middle English dep, deep, depe, from Old English dēop (“deep, profound; awful, mysterious; heinous; serious, solemn, earnest; extreme, great”), from Proto-West Germanic *deup, from Proto-Germanic *deupaz (“deep”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰewbʰ- (“deep”).

Cognates

Cognate with Scots depe (“deep”), North Frisian diip, jip (“deep”), Saterland Frisian djoop (“deep”), West Frisian djip (“deep”), Dutch diep (“deep”), Low German deep (“deep”), Luxembourgish déif (“deep”), Central Franconian deep, deef (“deep”), German tief (“deep”), Alemannic German tüüf (“deep”), Mòcheno tiaf (“deep”), Vilamovian tif, tīf, tiif (“deep”), Yiddish טיף (tif, “deep”), Danish dyb (“deep”), Norwegian Nynorsk and Swedish djup (“deep”), Scanian djyber (“deep”), Norwegian Bokmål djup, dyp (“deep”), Faroese and Icelandic djúpur (“deep”), Gothic 𐌳𐌹𐌿𐍀𐍃 (diups, “deep”), Lithuanian dubùs (“deep, hollow”), Albanian det (“sea”), Welsh dwfn (“deep”).

adjective deeper · more deep · deepest · most deep · deepe

  1. also, figuratively Extending far down from the top, or surface, to the bottom, literally or figuratively. The lake is extremely deep.
  2. also, figuratively Positioned far from the surface or other reference point, especially down through something or into something. Diving down to deep wrecks can be dangerous.
  3. also, figuratively Positioned far from the boundaries of or main approaches to (the specified place); interior. He [the panda] comes from deepest Asia , high up in the remote mountains of Szechwan and Kansu. In addition to that he is further protected by the fact that he lives in the secure fastnesses of the bamboo jungles.
  4. also, figuratively Far in extent in another (non-downwards, but generally also non-upwards) direction, especially front-to-back. The shelves are 30 centimetres deep. — They are deep shelves.
  5. also, figuratively, in compounds Extending to a level or length equivalent to the stated thing. The water was waist-deep.
  6. also, figuratively In a (specified) number of rows or layers. a crowd four deep along the funeral procession, with people two deep on the sidewalks
  7. also, figuratively Voluminous. to take a deep breath / sigh / drink
  8. also, figuratively Far from the center of the playing area, near to the boundary of the playing area, either in absolute terms or relative to a point of reference. He is fielding at deep mid wicket.
  9. also, figuratively Penetrating a long way, especially a long way forward. a deep volley
  10. also, figuratively Positioned back, or downfield, towards one's own goal, or towards or behind one's baseline or similar reference point. Our defensive live is too deep. We need to move further up the field.
  11. also, figuratively, often Further into the body. the brachialis is deep to the biceps
  12. Profound, having great meaning or import, but possibly obscure or not obvious. That is a deep thought!
  13. Significant, not superficial, in extent. Your analysis does not cut deep enough yet.
  14. Hard to penetrate or comprehend; profound; intricate; obscure. a deep subject or plot
  15. Of penetrating or far-reaching intellect; not superficial; thoroughly skilled; sagacious; cunning. Deepe clearks ſhe dumb's
  16. Inner, underlying, true; relating to one’s inner or private being rather than what is visible on the surface. Or doth she only seem to take ⁠The touch of change in calm or storm; ⁠But knows no more of transient form In her deep self, than some dead lake That holds the shadow of a lark ⁠Hung in the shadow of a heaven?
  17. Low in pitch. She has a very deep contralto voice.
  18. Highly saturated; rich. That's a very deep shade of blue.
  19. Sound, heavy (describing a state of sleep from which one is not easily awoken). He was in a deep sleep.
  20. Muddy; boggy; sandy; said of roads. The ways in that vale were very deep.
  21. Distant in the past, ancient. deep time

Similar: deep

adverb deeper · more deep · deepest · most deep · deepe

  1. Far, especially far down through something or into something, physically or figuratively. The ogre lived in a cave deep underground.
  2. In a profound, not superficial, manner. I thought long and deep.
  3. In large volume. breathe deep, drink deep
  4. Back towards one's own goal, baseline, or similar. He's normally a midfield player, but today he's playing deep.

noun deeps · deepe

  1. countable, literary, uncountable, with definite article The deep part of a lake, sea or ocean. creatures of the deep
  2. countable, uncountable, with definite article The sea, the ocean. How few! yet how they creep / Through my fingers to the deep, / While I weep—while I weep! / O God! can I not grasp / Them with a tighter clasp?
  3. countable, uncountable A deep hole or pit, a water well; an abyss. Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterfalls: All thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
  4. countable, uncountable A deep or innermost part of something in general. And what delights can equal those ⁠That stir the spirit’s inner deeps, ⁠When one that loves but knows not, reaps A truth from one that loves and knows?
  5. countable, literary, uncountable, with definite article A silent time; quiet isolation. the deep of night
  6. countable, rare, uncountable A deep shade of colour. For our blues we have the azures and ceruleans, lapis lazulis, the light and dusty, the powder blues, the deeps: royal, sapphire, navy, and marine […]
  7. US, countable, rare, uncountable The profound part of a problem.
  8. countable, uncountable A fielding position near the boundary. Russell is a safe pair of hands in the deep.
  9. countable, slang, uncountable A deep hotel pan. Coordinate term: shallow

verb deeps · deeping · deeped · deepe

  1. Multicultural London English, slang, transitive To overthink; to treat as being deeper (“more profound, significant”) than in reality. ― Ugh, why are these road markings so awfully arranged? ― Quit deeping it bro, just drive, innit.
  2. Multicultural London English, slang, transitive To think about, especially deeply (“profoundly”); to consider. No Picasso, I don't care about resistance (Deep dat).

Deep²

Where it comes from

Two main origins:

* From the adjective deep, either a topographic surname for someone who lived in a deep valley, or a nickname for a deep and thoughtful person.

* Borrowed from Punjabi ਦੀਪ (dīp), from Sanskrit दीप (dīpa).

proper noun Deeps

  1. A surname.

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