depth
dehpth
Depth (noun) means How far down something goes, from top to bottom or surface to floor. Example: “The pool has a depth of two metres at the deep end.”
noun
1
How far down something goes, from top to bottom or surface to floor.
"The pool has a depth of two metres at the deep end."
"Divers measured the depth of the trench at over ten kilometres."
"Check the depth of the water before you let the children jump in."
2
The measure of how thorough, complex, or serious something is.
"The report goes into real depth on the causes of the crisis."
"Her essay lacked depth, because it only skimmed the surface of the topic."
"The novel is admired for the emotional depth of its characters."
3
The most extreme or intense part of something, especially a difficult period.
"They fell in love in the depth of a harsh winter."
"Many farmers struggled in the depth of the drought."
"Rescuers kept working through the depth of the night, despite the freezing wind."
How to use depth
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow deep something is, physically or in terms of thought and detail.
Common pairings
in depth
depth of field
depth of knowledge
water depth
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Word forms
- Plural
- depths
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The pool has a _____ of two metres at the deep end.
Etymology
From Old English deopnes-related forms, built on "deep" plus the abstract suffix "-th" — the same pattern as "width" from "wide".
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “depth” mean?
The word “depth” means how far down something goes, from top to bottom or surface to floor. In plain terms, how deep something is, physically or in terms of thought and detail.
How do you pronounce “depth”?
“Depth” is pronounced dehpth (/dɛpθ/ in IPA).
How do you use “depth” in a sentence?
Here is “depth” used in a sentence: “The pool has a depth of two metres at the deep end.”
What part of speech is “depth”?
“Depth” is a noun.
Where does the word “depth” come from?
The word “depth” comes from Old English. From Old English deopnes-related forms, built on "deep" plus the abstract suffix "-th" — the same pattern as "width" from "wide".
Is “depth” a common word?
“Depth” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “depth” have?
“Depth” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: how far down something goes, from top to bottom or surface to floor.
What is the difference between depth and height?
Both measure distance in the up-and-down direction, but from opposite reference points. Height measures how far something rises upward, like a tower or a person. Depth measures how far something goes downward, like a pool or a well. The same pool has a height above the ground and a depth below the surface.
Can depth be used figuratively?
Yes, very often. Beyond literal distance downward, depth describes richness or intensity — depth of knowledge, emotional depth, or the depth of a character in a novel. Saying someone has depth means they are thoughtful and complex rather than shallow. The figurative sense borrows the idea of going far below the surface.
How is depth measured?
Depth is measured from the top or surface straight down to the bottom. For water you measure from the surface to the floor; for a hole, from ground level to its lowest point. It uses the same units as any length — metres, feet, or centimetres — just taken in the downward direction.
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