deep

Universal Words adjective, adverb, noun adjective (deeper, deepest) top to bottom 1 having a large distance from the top or surface to the bottom: a deep hole / well / river * deep water / snow OPPSHALLOW front to back 2 having a large distance from the front edge to the furthest point inside: a deep cut / wound * a deep space OPPSHALLOW measurement 3 used to describe or ask about the depth of sth: The water is only a few inches deep. * How deep is the wound? far inside 4 ~ in sth far inside or down in sth: deep in the desert / forest * He stood with his hands deep in his pockets. -deep 5 (in adjectives) as far up or down as the point mentioned: The water was only waist-deep so I walked ashore. 6 (in adjectives) in the number of rows mentioned, one behind the other: They were standing three-deep at the bar. breath / sigh 7 [usuallybeforenoun] taking in or giving out a lot of air: She took a deep breath. * He gave a deep sigh. sounds 8 low: I heard his deep warm voice filling the room. * a deep roar / groan colours 9 strong and dark: a rich deep red OPPPALE sleep 10 a person in a deep sleep is difficult to wake: to be in a deep sleep / trance / coma OPPLIGHT serious 11 extreme or serious: He's in deep trouble. * a deep economic recession * The affair had exposed deep divisions within the party. * a place of great power and of deep significance emotions 12 strongly felt; sincere: deep concern / regret / affection / respect * a deep sense of loss knowledge 13 showing great knowledge or understanding: a deep understanding / insight / analysis difficult to understand 14 difficult to understand SYNPROFOUND: This discussion's getting too deep for me. * He pondered, as if over some deep philosophical point. involved 15 ~ in sth fully involved in an activity or a state: to be deep in thought / conversation / prayer * He is often so deep in his books that he forgets to eat. * The firm ended up deep in debt. person 16 if a person is deep, they hide their real feelings and opinions: She's always been a deep one, trusting no one. in sport 17 to or from a position far down or across the field: a deep ball from Beckham seealsoDEPTH IDIOMS go off the deep end (informal) to suddenly become very angry or emotional in deep water(s) (informal) in trouble or difficulty jump / be thrown in at the deep end (informal) to start or be made to start a new and difficult activity that you are not prepared for: Junior hospital doctors are thrown in at the deep end in their first jobs. moreatDEVIL, SHITn. adverb (deeper, deepest) ~ (below, into, under, etc.) a long way below the surface of sth or a long way inside or into sth: Dig deeper! * The miners were trapped deep underground. * whales that feed deep beneath the waves * He gazed deep into her eyes. * They sat and talked deep into the night (= until very late). IDIOMS deep down 1 if you know sth deep down, you know your true feelings about sth, although you may not admit them to yourself: Deep down I still loved him. 2 if sth is true deep down, it is really like that, although it may not be obvious to people: He seems confident but deep down he's quite insecure. go / run deep (of emotions, beliefs, etc.) to be felt in a strong way, especially for a long time: Feelings about the death of a parent are bound to go deep. * Dignity and pride run deep in this community. moreatDIGv., STILL noun [sing.] (the deep) (literary) the sea: His body was committed to the deep (= he was buried at sea). ______________________________ WHICHWORD? deep / deeply The adverbs deep and deeply can both mean 'a long way down or into something'. Deep can only mean this and is more common than deeply in this sense. It is usually followed by a word like into or below: We decided to go deeper into the jungle. Deeply usually means 'very much': deeply in love * deeply shocked. You can use deep down (but not deeply) to talk about a per-son's real nature: She can seem stern, but deep down she's a very kind person. * _S_h_e_ _c_a_n_ _s_e_e_m_ _s_t_e_r_n_,_ _b_u_t_ _d_e_e_p_l_y_ _s_h_e_'_s_ _a_ _v_e_r_y_ _k_i_n_d_ _p_e_r_s_o_n. ______________________________