depth

[ depth ]

/ dɛpθ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR depth ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

the quality of being deep; deepness.

complexity or obscurity, as of a subject: a question of great depth.

gravity; seriousness.

emotional profundity: the depth of someone's feelings.

intensity, as of silence, color, etc.

lowness of tonal pitch: the depth of a voice.

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.

a high degree of such knowledge, insight, etc.

Often depths. a deep part or place: from the depths of the ocean.

an unfathomable space; abyss: the depth of time.

Sometimes depths. the farthest, innermost, or extreme part or state: the depth of space; the depths of the forest; the depths of despair.

Usually depths. a low intellectual or moral condition: How could he sink to such depths?

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

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.

Nearby words

depside, dept, dept., deptford, deptford pink, depth, depth charge, depth finder, depth gauge, depth of field, depth of focus

Idioms

in depth, extensively or thoroughly: Make a survey in depth of the conditions.

out of/beyond one's depth,

in water deeper than one's height or too deep for one's safety.
beyond one's knowledge or capability: The child is being taught subjects that are beyond his depth.

Origin of depth

1350–1400; Middle English depthe, equivalent to dep (Old English dēop deep) + -the -th¹

ANTONYMS FOR depth

2 shallowness.

9 superficiality.

SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR depth ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

depth·less, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for depth

My trip takes the reverse path, and I begin by assessing the depth of my Shakespeare knowledge in his birthplace.
Biking With the Bard|Kara Cutruzzula|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Zoe Saldana has also recently praised sci-fi movies for the depth and breadth of women in its ensembles.
Science-Fiction TV Finds a New Muse: Feminism|David Levesley|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The depth of rage, animus and violence that was directed at him—“Spittle flying, the N word flying”—continues to astound him.
NPR’s Smooth-Talking Millennial Whisperer|Batya Ungar-Sargon|October 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
George was in his element at those times, and the depth of his knowledge amazed me.
When Gary Wright Met George Harrison: Dream Weaver, John and Yoko, and More|Gary Wright|September 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

So for me, it was just about showing the level of depth and capacity for that kind of violence.
Inside 'Sons of Anarchy's' Final Season: Creator Kurt Sutter on the Most Brutal Season Yet|Annaliza Savage|September 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We descend into it by a flight of steps, and the depth of water it contains varies with the height of the Tiber.
Walks in Rome|Augustus J.C. Hare
There was nothing—absolutely nothing—to indicate that the depth charge had carried out its pre-ordained mission.
The Thick of the Fray at Zeebrugge|Percy F. Westerman
It was out of the depth of pure good-fellowship that Jeffard went to the bar with the fortune-daft miner.
The Helpers|Francis Lynde
It must be added that the coffins do not simply lie one next to the other, but in layers, down to a depth of 30-60 feet.
Chaldea|Znade A. Ragozin
Here the low stud, the beamed ceiling, the depth and lightness of the room, are most attractive.
Remodeled Farmhouses|Mary H. Northend

British Dictionary definitions for depth

depth

/ (dɛpθ) /

noun

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

the quality of being deep; deepness

intensity or profundity of emotion or feeling

profundity of moral character; penetration; sagacity; integrity

complexity or abstruseness, as of thought or objects of thought

intensity, as of silence, colour, etc

lowness of pitch

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

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

(often plural) the deepest, most intense, or most severe partthe depths of winter

(usually plural) a low moral state; demoralizationhow could you sink to such depths?

(often plural) a vast space or abyss

beyond one's depth or out of one's depth

in water deeper than one is tall
beyond the range of one's competence or understanding

in depth thoroughly or comprehensivelySee also in-depth

Word Origin for depth

C14: from dep deep + -th 1

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

depth

noun

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Origin of depth

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British Dictionary definitions for depth

depth

noun

Word Origin for depth

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depth

n.

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depth