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

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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.

However, during periods of heightened market volatility, that price drop can deepen to 50% before the stock starts climbing again.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

In London, the eclipse will begin at 03:33 BST and deepen until maximum eclipse at 05:12 BST, when around 90% of the Moon will be immersed in Earth's umbra, the darkest part of its shadow.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

Espriella has promised to deepen US-Colombian relations "like never before" if elected.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

That rotation has helped deepen the pressure on bitcoin, according to Jim Ferraioli, head of digital, technical and commodities research at the Schwab Center for Financial Research.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 4, 2026

It was a try toward relieving the foreboding in his manner; it only worked to deepen it.

From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles

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