What does "deepen" mean?
To make deep or deeper
Deepen
/ˈdiːpən/ verb
verb ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: To make deep or deeper
- Grammar: deepen is listed as verb.
- Nearest alternatives: heighten, intensify, abundance increase, accelerate.
- Useful contrasts: shoaly, shallows, shoal.
- Usage evidence: The purpose of this text is to deepen the understanding of black culture.
How to use "deepen"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "deepen" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "deepen" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "deepen" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "deepen" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "deepen" is acting as verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "heighten" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "deepen", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Verb
- 1 To make deep or deeper transitive
"They deepened the well by 200 feet."
- 2 become more intense wordnet
- 3 To make darker or more intense; to darken transitive
"The event deepened the prevailing gloom."
- 4 make more intense, stronger, or more marked wordnet
- 5 To make more poignant or affecting; to increase in degree transitive
"News of her death deepened my sorrow."
Show 12 more definitions
- 6 become deeper in tone wordnet
- 7 To make lower in tone transitive
"The tuner deepened the tone of the organ."
- 8 make deeper wordnet
- 9 To make more thorough or extensive. transitive
"The class deepened my understanding of the subject."
- 10 To make more intimate. transitive
"The shared experiences deepened our relationship."
- 11 To make more sound or heavy. transitive
"The hypnotist then proceeded to deepen his trance."
- 12 To become deeper intransitive
"The water deepens as you go toward the middle of the channel."
- 13 To become darker or more intense intransitive
"The crisis deepened in the following weeks."
- 14 To become lower in tone intransitive
"His voice deepened with age."
- 15 To become more thorough or extensive. intransitive
"His skill in deciphering the texts deepened with practice."
- 16 To become more intimate. intransitive
"The conversation deepened and they began to truly share."
- 17 To become more sound or heavy. intransitive
"The new bed allowed my sleep to deepen."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"The purpose of this text is to deepen the understanding of black culture."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "deepen"?
Common synonyms include: heighten, intensify, abundance increase, accelerate, agent provocateur, aggravate.
How do you use "deepen" in a sentence?
The purpose of this text is to deepen the understanding of black culture.
How do you pronounce "deepen"?
Pronounced /ˈdiːpən/.
Etymology
From deep + -en.