deepen

American

[dee-puhn] / ˈdi pən /

verb (used with or without object)

to make or become deep or deeper.

Larger ships will be able to navigate the river after the main channel is deepened. The shadows deepened toward late afternoon.
Meteorology. to decrease in atmospheric pressure.

a deepening cyclone.

deepen British

/ ˈdiːpən /

verb

to make or become deep, deeper, or more intense

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of deepen

First recorded in 1595–1605; deep + -en ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Middleton entered the political fray at a pivotal moment, just as fractures in the Texas Republican Party were beginning to deepen.

From Salon • May 23, 2026

“A faster-than-expected resolution could restore confidence, while a prolonged disruption could deepen the downgrade,” the UN said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

Putin will be hoping for China to deepen its commitment to Moscow, after Trump told Fox News during his visit that Beijing had agreed to buy US oil to feed its "insatiable" appetite for energy.

From Barron's • May 19, 2026

Older children, usually from seven upwards, can feel isolated or "quite jealous" of peers who haven't experienced loss, and grief can deepen as understanding grows, Sadie added.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

Eager to deepen his involvement at the school, and never afraid of putting in more hours, Volpe readily agreed.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023