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waist-deep

American  
[weyst-deep] / ˈweɪstˈdip /

adjective

  1. being at or rising to the level of the waist.


Etymology

Origin of waist-deep

First recorded in 1755–65

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.

She ran downstairs to find her grandson waist-deep in the foul mix, holding the television above his head.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 10, 2025

At dusk, worshippers stood waist-deep in the river's brown waters to offer prayers to the sun god Surya as the setting orb sank into the haze blanketing New Delhi's skyline, marking the annual Chhath festival.

From Barron's • Oct. 27, 2025

Many parts of the city remain inundated in waist-deep water, with videos showing residents swimming through waterlogged roads as garbage gushed out from clogged sewers.

From BBC • Aug. 20, 2025

In the last two decades, he has been robbed on public transit, waded through the street in waist-deep floods and spent endless hours stuck in traffic.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 16, 2024

Archer looked up from where he stood waist-deep in the water, washing their clothes in a pool rimmed by flat stones.

From "The Reader" by Traci Chee