depth

American  

[depth] / dɛpθ /

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.

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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.

depth British  

/ 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

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depth More Idioms  

1. see in depth; out of one's depth.

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Other Word Forms

• depthless adjective

Etymology

Origin of depth

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

Example Sentences

Their analysis shows that the basement beneath the playa is relatively shallow, less than 200 meters deep, before dropping sharply to depths of 3 to 4 kilometers.

From Science Daily

Improved snowpack modeling and soil moisture estimates, experimental temperature measurements at different snow depths, university collaborations and incorporating weather outlooks are helping, according to the Department of Water Resources.

From Los Angeles Times

Questions have to be asked about fitness and, despite spending £450m in the summer, Liverpool lack proper squad depth.

From BBC

This is the kind of art that would find a suitable home in a crypto king’s Miami mansion, and whose pretense of depth can’t conceal its wallowing in the shallows.

From The Wall Street Journal

"I believe the world has not yet well understood the depth of the energy security challenge we are facing," he added.

From BBC

Related Words

• acumen
• intellect
• intelligence
• sense