depth

[depth]

noun

1. a dimension taken through an object or body of material, usually downward from an upper surface, horizontally inward from an outer surface, or from top to bottom of something regarded as one of several layers.

2. the quality of being deep; deepness.

3. complexity or obscurity, as of a subject.

   a question of great depth.

4. gravity; seriousness.

   I don't think you recognize the depth of the problem.

   Synonyms: weight, significance, importance, import

5. emotional profundity.

   the depth of someone's feelings.

6. intensity, as of silence, color, etc.

7. lowness of tonal pitch.

   the depth of a voice.

8. the amount of knowledge, intelligence, wisdom, insight, feeling, etc., present in a person's mind or evident either in some product of the mind, as a learned paper, argument, work of art, etc., or in the person's behavior.

9. a high degree of such knowledge, insight, etc.

10. Often depths a deep part or place.

    from the depths of the ocean.

11. an unfathomable space; abyss.

    the depth of time.

12. Sometimes depths the farthest, innermost, or extreme part or state.

    the depth of space;

    the depths of the forest;

    the depths of despair.

13. Usually depths. a low intellectual or moral condition.

    How could he sink to such depths?

14. the part of greatest intensity, as of night or winter.

15. Sports.,  the strength of a team in terms of the number and quality of its substitute players.

    With no depth in the infield, an injury to any of the regulars would be costly.

depth

/ dɛpθ /

noun

1. the extent, measurement, or distance downwards, backwards, or inwards

2. the quality of being deep; deepness

3. intensity or profundity of emotion or feeling

4. profundity of moral character; penetration; sagacity; integrity

5. complexity or abstruseness, as of thought or objects of thought

6. intensity, as of silence, colour, etc

7. lowness of pitch

8. nautical the distance from the top of a ship's keel to the top of a particular deck

9. (often plural) a deep, far, inner, or remote part, such as an inaccessible region of a country

10. (often plural) the deepest, most intense, or most severe part

    the depths of winter

11. (usually plural) a low moral state; demoralization

    how could you sink to such depths?

12. (often plural) a vast space or abyss

13. 1. in water deeper than one is tall

    2. beyond the range of one's competence or understanding

14. thoroughly or comprehensively See also in-depth

Other Word Forms

• depthless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of depth¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English depthe, equivalent to deep + -th ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of depth¹

C14: from dep _deep + _-th ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in depth, extensively or thoroughly.

   Make a survey in depth of the conditions.

2. out of / beyond one's depth,

   1. in water deeper than one's height or too deep for one's safety.

   2. beyond one's knowledge or capability.

      The child is being taught subjects that are beyond his depth.

see in depth; out of one's depth.

Example Sentences

On Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics issued jobs numbers showing a contraction of the labor market in July, a first since the depths of the pandemic in 2020.

From Los Angeles Times

Earlier, Downing Street made clear Rachel Reeves wasn't going - a move to calm the markets - but it hinted at the breadth and depth of the reshuffle to come.

From BBC

The arrivals of Olivia Smith and Taylor Hinds have added depth to Arsenal's squad but I worry they might still be a bit short in a few areas.

From BBC

How fast the Rockies rebuild will depend in part on the depth of their farm system and how they use it.

From Los Angeles Times

After how they batted at Headingley, England were concerned about the depth of their batting, hence their including Jacks at number seven.

From BBC

Related Words

• acumen 
• intellect 
• intelligence 
• sense