a deep, immeasurable space, gulf, or cavity; vast chasm.
anything that seems to be without end or is impossible to measure, define, or comprehend.
the abyss of their grief and sorrow.
(in ancient cosmogony)
the primal chaos before Creation.
the infernal regions; hell.
a subterranean ocean.
Abyssinia.
Abyssinian.
a very deep or unfathomable gorge or chasm
anything that appears to be endless or immeasurably deep, such as time, despair, or shame
hell or the infernal regions conceived of as a bottomless pit
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English abissus, from Late Latin abyssus, from Greek ábyssos “bottomless,” equivalent to a- a- 6 + byssós “bottom of the sea”
The noun abyss refers to a deep void or chasm — either literal or figurative. Making a momentous life decision with great uncertainty, like enrolling in clown college, might feel like jumping into the abyss. Traditionally, the abyss referred to the "bottomless pit" of Hell. Now it might refer to either a literal chasm or a figurative one: "Thirty years ago, we peered into this abyss and pulled back just in time." The word is sometimes used to describe a wide difference between cultures or nations. Abyss comes from Greek: a- "without" + byssos, "depth, bottom." You may know the related adjective abysmal, which means "appallingly bad" — or "way down in the depths," as it were.
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Even Miguel de Cervantes’s aging Don Quixote is driven into a phantasmagoric abyss by the reading of chivalrous romance.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026
This whole Western Conference semifinal series against these defending champions has been a lose-lose proposition for the Lakers, who are now down 3-0 and staring into the elimination abyss in Game 4 on Monday.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 10, 2026
But together, they sketch a country edging towards an abyss it has fallen into before and barely survived, observers warn.
From BBC ● May 3, 2026
So it is worth taking a moment to stare into the abyss and think through what the world—and your investment portfolio—might look like if the strait still isn’t open by Labor Day or by Christmas.
From Barron's ● May 1, 2026
There is a tale told in the East Reach of a boat that ran aground, days out from any shore, over the abyss of ocean.
From "A Wizard of Earthsea" by Ursula K. Le Guin
And while the play never explicitly explores its underlying theme—that music can help bridge the gaps, or the abysses, that divide people—the deft integration of story and song illuminates it naturally.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 30, 2026
Parker and company don’t rush into any flaming abysses.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 5, 2021
“Bad Kind of Butterflies,” with a breathy vocal that tiptoes above furtive keyboards and deep bass abysses, is well aware of Billie Eilish.
From New York Times ● Dec. 12, 2019
A liberal education is most students’ last chance to plumb society’s abysses with wise guidance.
From Salon ● Apr. 22, 2019
Instead of resting in the simple-hearted and heroic faith which he loves so much to describe, they may plunge into the abysses of doubt and despair.
From The Genius of Scotland or Sketches of Scottish Scenery, Literature and Religion by Turnbull, Robert
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
