Abyss — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ə-ˈbis/

Meaning & Definition of Abyss

Abyss (noun)

  1. an immeasurably deep gulf or great space
  2. intellectual or moral depths
  3. the bottomless gulf, pit, or chaos of the old cosmogonies

Abyss (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an immeasurable depth or space

    "looking down at the dark ocean from the ship's rail, the cruise passenger felt as though he was staring into an abyss"

    similar: abysm, chasm, deep, gulf, ocean

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Abyss

The most common words with a similar meaning to Abyss:

Origin & Etymology of Abyss

borrowed from Late Latin abyssus, borrowed from Greek ábyssos "bottomless, unfathomable, (as noun) bottomless gulf," from a- a-:2 + byssós "depth of the sea," probably going back to *byth-yos, derivative of bythós "depth, deepest part, bottom," probably of pre-Greek substratal origin

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Abyss

Frequently Asked Questions about Abyss

What does "Abyss" mean?

"Abyss" means an immeasurably deep gulf or great space. As a noun, it is defined as: an immeasurably deep gulf or great space.

What is another word for "Abyss"?

Other words for "Abyss" include abysm, chasm, deep, gulf and ocean. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Abyss" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Abyss"?

There are 26 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Abyss". Common alternatives include abysm, chasm, deep, gulf and ocean.

How do you use "Abyss" in a sentence?

Examples of "Abyss" in a sentence: "looking down at the dark ocean from the ship's rail, the cruise passenger felt as though he was staring into an abyss".

Is "Abyss" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Abyss" is a noun.

Is "Abyss" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Abyss" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Abyss"?

"Abyss" is pronounced /ə-ˈbis/.

What is the origin of the word "Abyss"?

"Abyss" comes from borrowed from Late Latin abyssus, borrowed from Greek ábyssos "bottomless, unfathomable, (as noun) bottomless gulf," from a- a-:2 + byssós "depth of the sea," probably going back to *byth-yos, derivative of bythós "depth, deepest part, bottom," probably of pre-Greek substratal origin. First known use: 14th century.