depth
gb/dˈɛpθ/ us/dˈɛpθ/
A2
English
~ 2200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
quantity
1
Distance from top to bottom
How far it is from the top of something to the bottom.
Usage pattern:
the depth of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'depth' with 'height'; 'depth' is measured downward, not upward.
Synonyms
thickness (Refers to the distance between two opposite surfaces, but not always vertical like 'depth'.)
|
height (Usually measures upward distance, opposite direction to 'depth'.)
Antonyms
height (Measures from bottom to top, opposite of depth.)
Collocations
water depth
|depth of the ocean
|measure depth
|at a depth
|sea depth
Themes
measurement
|geography
|science
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The depth of the lake is over 30 meters.
- Divers measured the depth before entering the water.
- The submarine descended to a depth of 500 meters.
- This pool has a maximum depth of two meters.
Learner examples
- The depth of the box is 20 cm.
- We measured the depth of the hole.
- The sea has great depth here.
- The pool has a depth of 1.5 meters.
Noun
B2
property
2
Complexity or intensity of ideas or feelings
When something shows strong feeling or deep thinking.
Usage pattern:
the depth of [emotion/idea]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'depth' here with physical distance; in this sense it is abstract.
Synonyms
profoundness (More formal; emphasizes intellectual or emotional seriousness.)
|
intensity (Focuses on strength rather than complexity.)
Antonyms
shallowness (Lack of seriousness or complexity in thought or feeling.)
Collocations
depth of emotion
|depth of knowledge
|emotional depth
|depth of understanding
Themes
emotions
|communication
|art
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her speech revealed great depth of understanding.
- The actor brought emotional depth to the role.
- This book lacks the depth needed for serious study.
- He admired the depth of her compassion.
Learner examples
- She spoke with great depth of feeling.
- His painting shows emotional depth.
- The teacher has depth in history knowledge.
- This movie has no depth in its story.
Noun
B2
entity
3
Lowest or most extreme point of a condition
A very bad or extreme time or state.
Usage pattern:
in the depths of [situation]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this is figurative and not about physical measurement.
Synonyms
extremity (Formal; emphasizes being at a furthest limit.)
|
low point (Informal; refers to worst stage.)
Antonyms
peak (Highest or best point, opposite in metaphorical sense.)
Collocations
in the depths of despair
|depths of winter
|depths of poverty
Themes
life
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She was in the depths of grief after his death.
- In the depths of winter, the village was cut off by snow.
- They struggled through the depths of financial crisis.
Learner examples
- She is in the depths of sadness.
- We are in the depths of winter now.
- They lived in the depths of poverty.
Noun
technical
B1
quantity
4
Measurement from front to back
How far it is from the front to the back of something.
Synonyms
length (General term for measurement; 'depth' is used for front-to-back dimension.)
Collocations
shelf depth
|cupboard depth
Themes
measurement
|design
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The desk has a depth of 60 centimeters.
- Please check the shelf depth before buying boxes.
- The cupboard’s depth allows for large plates.
Learner examples
- The box has a depth of 30 cm.
- I measured the cupboard's depth.
- The table has a depth of one meter.
Grammar
Dictionary form
depth
IPA
GB/dˈɛpθ/
US/dˈɛpθ/
Syllables & stress
depth (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (depth)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: depth
- Plural: depth, depths
Word family
Expressions
in depth
1/ˈɪn dˈɛpθ/
fixed phrase
Detailed and thorough manner
With a lot of detail and care.
Examples
- The topic will be discussed in depth at the meeting.
- She studied the problem in depth before deciding.
out of one's depth
2/ˈaʊt əv wˈʌnz dˈɛpθ/
idiom
Beyond one's ability or knowledge
In a situation that is too hard for you to manage or understand.
Examples
- He felt out of his depth in his new job.
- She was out of her depth with advanced math problems.
to the depths of one's soul/being/heart
3/tə ðə dˈɛpθs əv wˈʌnz sˈulbɪŋhˈɛɹt/
fixed phrase
literary
Profoundly and completely emotionally
Very deeply in your feelings or thoughts.
Examples
- She loved him to the depths of her soul.
- He was moved to the depths of his heart by her words.