Definition of "deep"

(of distance or position; also figurative) Extending far away from a point of reference, especially downwards.

1. Extending far down from the top, or surface, to the bottom, literally or figuratively.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • Smooth runnes the Water, where the Brooke is deepe,

     1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act III, scene i], page 130, column 2

   • While Britain’s recession has been deep and unforgiving, in London it has been relatively shallow.

     2013 September 28, Kenan Malik, “London Is Special, but Not That Special”, in New York Times, retrieved 28 September 2013

2. Far in extent in another (non-downwards, but generally also non-upwards) direction away from a point of reference.  examples

3. (in combination) Extending to a level or length equivalent to the stated thing.  examples

4. In a (specified) number of rows or layers.  examples

5. Thick.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • Here, in the transept and choir, where the service was being held, one was conscious every moment of an increasing brightness; colours glowing vividly beneath the circular chandeliers, and the rows of small lights on the choristers' desks flashed and sparkled in front of the boys' faces, deep linen collars, and red neckbands.

     1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter V, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company

6. Voluminous.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • Serene, smiling, enigmatic, she faced him with no fear whatever showing in her dark eyes. […] She put back a truant curl from her forehead where it had sought egress to the world, and looked him full in the face now, drawing a deep breath which caused the round of her bosom to lift the lace at her throat.

     1910, Emerson Hough, chapter I, in The Purchase Price: Or The Cause of Compromise, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company

7. Positioned or reaching far, especially down through something or into something.

   1. (cricket, baseball, softball) Far from the center of the playing area, near to the boundary of the playing area, either in absolute terms or relative to a point of reference.  examples

   2. (sports such as soccer, tennis) Penetrating a long way, especially a long way forward.  examples

   3. (sports such as soccer, American football, tennis) Positioned back, or downfield, towards one's own goal, or towards or behind one's baseline or similar reference point.  examples

   4. (anatomy, often with to) Further into the body.  examples

(intellectual, social) Complex, involved.

1. Profound, having great meaning or import, but possibly obscure or not obvious.  examples

2. Significant, not superficial, in extent.  examples

3. Hard to penetrate or comprehend; profound; intricate; obscure.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • Why it was that the ancients had no landscape painting, is a question deep almost as the mystery of life, and harder of solution than all the problems of jurisprudence combined.

     c. 1840, Thomas De Quincey

4. Of penetrating or far-reaching intellect; not superficial; thoroughly skilled; sagacious; cunning.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • Deepe clearks ſhe dumb's

     c. 1607–1608, William Shakeſpeare, The Late, And much admired Play, Called Pericles, Prince of Tyre. […], London: Imprinted at London for Henry Goſſon, […], published 1609, [Act V, scene i]

   • I never said I was deep, but I am profoundly shallow / My lack of knowledge is vast, and my horizons are narrow

     2009, Jarvis Cocker (lyrics and music), “I Never Said I Was Deep”, in Further Complications.

5. Inner, underlying, true; relating to one’s inner or private being rather than what is visible on the surface.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • Or doth she only seem to take⁠The touch of change in calm or storm;⁠But knows no more of transient formIn her deep self, than some dead lakeThat holds the shadow of a lark⁠Hung in the shadow of a heaven?

     1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], canto XVI, page 26

(sound, voice) Low in pitch.  quotations  examples

(of a color or flavour) Highly saturated; rich.  quotations  examples

(sleep) Sound, heavy (describing a state of sleep from which one is not easily awoken).  examples

Muddy; boggy; sandy; said of roads.  quotations  examples

(of time) Distant in the past, ancient.  examples

Far, especially far down through something or into something, physically or figuratively.  quotations  examples

(also deeply) In a profound, not superficial, manner.  quotations  examples

(also deeply) In large volume.  quotations  examples

(sports) Back towards one's own goal, baseline, or similar.  examples

(literary, with "the") The deep part of a lake, sea, etc.  examples

(with "the") The sea, the ocean.  examples

A deep hole or pit, a water well; an abyss.  quotations  examples

(literary, with "the") A silent time; quiet isolation.  examples

(rare) A deep shade of colour.  quotations

(US, rare) The profound part of a problem.

(cricket) A fielding position near the boundary.  examples