knee-deep

American  

[nee-deep] / ˈniˈdip /

adjective

1. reaching the knees.

   knee-deep mud.

2. submerged or covered up to the knees.

   knee-deep in water.

3. deeply embroiled; enmeshed; involved.

   knee-deep in trouble.

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knee-deep British  

adjective

1. so deep as to reach or cover the knees

   knee-deep mud

2. 1. sunk or covered to the knees

      knee-deep in sand

   2. immersed; deeply involved

      knee-deep in work

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Etymology

Origin of knee-deep

First recorded in 1525–35

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

knee-deep

Pedestrians in plastic rain ponchos trudged through murky floodwaters in Bangkok's east -- knee-deep in some areas of a grocery store parking lot -- floating their belongings in plastic tubs alongside them, AFP journalists saw.

From Barron's ● Sep. 27, 2026

Suddenly, here we are, knee-deep in Panini swapsies, reeling off an all-star French attack, pointing out the flags and badges of all 48 nations.

From BBC ● Jun. 21, 2026

Workers on Wednesday were spotted in fishing waders standing knee-deep in the water vacuuming the bottom surface.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 18, 2026

Less than a mile away from the Meta Campus, Menlo Park residents on Wednesday woke up to rising knee-deep floodwaters and possible evacuation warnings.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 24, 2025

Without noticing the transition, the pair of them were standing, knee-deep in the river, watching the mahalath swallow the farthest houses of the village.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

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