What does "depth" mean?
the vertical distance below a surface; the degree to which something is deep
Depth
/dɛpθ/ noun
noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: the vertical distance below a surface; the degree to which something is deep
- Grammar: depth is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: profoundness, abstruseness, abysm, abyss.
- Useful contrasts: flat shape, planetary surface, thin glaze.
- Usage evidence: To weep is to make less the depth of grief.
How to use "depth"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "depth" 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 "depth" 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 "depth" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "depth" 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 "depth" is acting as noun 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 "profoundness" 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 "depth", 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
Noun
- 1 the vertical distance below a surface; the degree to which something is deep countable, uncountable
"Measure the depth of the water in this part of the bay."
- 2 degree of psychological or intellectual profundity wordnet
- 3 the distance between the front and the back, as the depth of a drawer or closet countable, uncountable
- 4 the attribute or quality of being deep, strong, or intense wordnet
- 5 the intensity, complexity, strength, seriousness or importance of an emotion, situation, etc. countable, figuratively, uncountable
"The depth of her misery was apparent to everyone."
Show 15 more definitions
- 6 the extent downward or backward or inward wordnet
- 7 lowness countable, uncountable
"the depth of a sound"
- 8 the intellectual ability to penetrate deeply into ideas wordnet
- 9 the total palette of available colors countable, uncountable
- 10 (usually plural) a low moral state wordnet
- 11 the property of appearing three-dimensional countable, uncountable
"The depth of field in this picture is amazing."
- 12 the deepest part (usually of a body of water) countable, literary, plural-normally, uncountable
"The burning ship finally sunk into the depths."
- 13 a very remote part. countable, literary, plural-normally, uncountable
"Into the depths of the jungle..."
- 14 the most severe part countable, uncountable
"in the depth of the crisis"
- 15 the number of simple elements which an abstract conception or notion includes; the comprehension or content countable, uncountable
- 16 a pair of toothed wheels which work together countable, uncountable
- 17 the perpendicular distance from the chord to the farthest point of an arched surface countable, uncountable
- 18 the lower of the two ranks of a value in an ordered set of values countable, uncountable
- 19 A set of more than one ciphertext enciphered with the same key. countable, uncountable
- 20 An invariant of rings and modules, encoding information about dimensionality; see Depth (ring theory). countable, uncountable
Antonyms
Example
"To weep is to make less the depth of grief."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "depth"?
Common synonyms include: profoundness, abstruseness, abysm, abyss, acumen, amplitude.
How do you use "depth" in a sentence?
To weep is to make less the depth of grief.
How do you pronounce "depth"?
Pronounced /dɛpθ/.
Etymology
From Middle English depthe, from Old English *dīepþ (“depth”), from Proto-Germanic *diupiþō (“depth”), equivalent to deep + -th (abstract nominal suffix). Cognates Cognate with Scots deepth (“depth”), Saterland Frisian Djüpte (“depth”), West Frisian djipte (“depth; abyss, chasm”), Dutch diepte (“depth”), German Low German, Limburgish Deepde (“depth”), Luxembourgish Déift (“depth”), Danish, Norwegian Bokmål dybde (“depth”), Faroese dýpd (“depth”), Icelandic djúp, dýpi, dýpt (“depth”), Norwegian Nynorsk djup, djupn, djupt, dypt (“depth”), Swedish djup (“depth”), Gothic 𐌳𐌹𐌿𐍀𐌹𐌸𐌰 (diupiþa, “depth”).