Depth — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈdepth/

Meaning & Definition of Depth

Depth (noun)

  1. a deep place in a body of water
  2. a part that is far from the outside or surface
  3. abyss

Depth (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. distance measured from the top to the bottom of something

    "be sure to check the depth of the water before diving off the dock"

    similar: deepness, drop
    related: lowness, draft, sounding
    near: shallowness, altitude, elevation, height, stature

  2. the quality of being great in extent (as of insight)

    "the depth of the poet's understanding of human nature has given his works a timeless appeal"

    similar: deepness, profoundness, profundity
    related: discernment, perception, perceptiveness, perceptivity, percipience, sagacity, sapience, sense, sensibility, wisdom, braininess, brightness, brilliance, intellect, intelligence, judgment, reason, smartness, wit, acuity, acuteness, keenness, penetration, perspicacity, sensitivity, sharpness
    near: shallowness, superficiality, brainlessness, idiocy, imbecility, mindlessness, simpleness, stupidity, witlessness, illogic, irrationality, unreasonableness, unsoundness

  3. the most intense or characteristic phase of something

    "I was in the depths of profound thought when I was interrupted"

    similar: deep, height, middle, midst, thick
    related: center, heart

  4. the lowest point or level

    "the author describes how she slowly rose from the depth of her depression"

    similar: bedrock, bottom, nadir, rock bottom, zero
    related: abyss, armpit, pit
    opposite: acme, apex, climax, crown, culmination, head, height, high-water mark, meridian, peak, pinnacle, summit, tip-top, top, zenith
    near: bloom, flood tide, flower, glory, heyday, crescendo, high, cap, ceiling, crest, roof

  5. the most extreme or advanced point

    "even in the depth of the Great Depression people never lost hope"

    similar: extremity, height, limit
    related: consummation, epitome, quintessence, ultimate

Related Entry: In-depth (adjective)

In-depth is a different word from Depth. The synonyms below are for in-depth, not for depth.

  1. covering everything or all important points

    "an in-depth report on the issue of violence in popular entertainment"

    similar: all-embracing, all-in (chiefly British), all-inclusive, broad-gauge, compendious, complete, comprehensive, cover-all, cyclopedic, embracive, encyclopedic, exhaustive, full, global, inclusive, omnibus, panoramic, thorough, universal
    related: broad, catholic, encyclical, general, inclusionary, overall, cosmic, extensive, far, far-reaching, grand, large, panoptic, sweeping, vast, wide, wide-ranging, blanket, indiscriminate, unrestricted
    near: circumscribed, limited, narrow, restricted, specialized, exact, precise, individual, singular, specific, incomplete, patchy, sketchy

Related Entry: Depthless (adjective)

Depthless is a different word from Depth. The synonyms below are for depthless, not for depth.

  1. lacking significant physical depth

    "they crossed the brook at its most depthless point"

    similar: shallow, shoal
    related: skin-deep, superficial, surface, fathomable, measurable, finite, limited, measured, restricted, even, flat, flush, horizontal, level, plane, smooth, two-dimensional
    opposite: deep
    near: abysmal, abyssal, bottomless, boundless, endless, immeasurable, inestimable, infinite, limitless, measureless, profound, unfathomable, unlimited, vast, navigable

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Depth

The most common words with a similar meaning to Depth:

deepness, drop, profoundness, profundity, deep, height, middle, midst, thick, bedrock, bottom, nadir, rock bottom, zero, extremity, limit

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Depth

Words with the opposite meaning of Depth:

acme, apex, climax, crown, culmination, head, height, high-water mark, meridian, peak, pinnacle, summit, tip-top, top, zenith

Related Words for Depth

lowness, draft, sounding, discernment, perception, perceptiveness, perceptivity, percipience, sagacity, sapience, sense, sensibility, wisdom, braininess, brightness, brilliance, intellect, intelligence, judgment, reason, smartness, wit, acuity, acuteness, keenness, penetration, perspicacity, sensitivity, sharpness, center

Near Antonyms of Depth

shallowness, altitude, elevation, stature, superficiality, brainlessness, idiocy, imbecility, mindlessness, simpleness, stupidity, witlessness, illogic, irrationality, unreasonableness, unsoundness, bloom, flood tide, flower, glory, heyday, crescendo, high, cap, ceiling, crest, roof

Word Forms of Depth

Inflections: depths

Derived words: depthless (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Depth

Middle English, from dep deep

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Depth

Words & Phrases Containing Depth

depth charge, depth of field, depth perception, depth psychology, beyond one's depth, in-depth, the depth of winter

Frequently Asked Questions about Depth

What does "Depth" mean?

"Depth" means a deep place in a body of water. As a noun, it is defined as: a deep place in a body of water. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Depth"?

Other words for "Depth" include deepness, drop, profoundness, profundity, deep, height, middle and midst. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Depth" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Depth"?

There are 54 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Depth". Common alternatives include deepness, drop, profoundness, profundity, deep, height, middle, midst, thick and bedrock.

What is the opposite of "Depth"?

Antonyms of "Depth" include acme, apex, climax, crown, culmination, head, height and high-water mark. Near antonyms include shallowness, altitude, elevation and stature.

How do you use "Depth" in a sentence?

Examples of "Depth" in a sentence: "be sure to check the depth of the water before diving off the dock"; "the depth of the poet's understanding of human nature has given his works a timeless appeal"; "I was in the depths of profound thought when I was interrupted".

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

"Depth" is a noun.

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

As a B2-level word, "Depth" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Depth"?

"Depth" is pronounced /ˈdepth/.