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depth Listen to audio/ˈdɛpθ/ noun
plural depths
1 a : a distance below a surface [count] These fish typically live at depths of 500 feet or more. Students will test the temperature of the water at different/varying/various depths. shallow/great depths The boat sank to a depth of several hundred feet. measuring the depth of the water/river/sea the depth of a hole The pool has a depth of 12 feet. [noncount] The pool is 12 feet in depth. [=12 feet deep]
b [count] : the distance from the front of something to the back — usually singular Measure the height, width, and depth of the cabinet. The bench's depth is 22 inches.
2 [count] : an area that exists far below a surface or far inside something : a deep place or area — usually plural They disappeared into the depths of the forest. Scientists have begun using the machine to explore the ocean depths. the black depths of outer spaceoften used figuratively The actress must examine her own emotional depths to perform the role successfully. Around midnight, a loud noise woke us from the depths of sleep. I knew in the depths of my heart/soul/being [=I believed very strongly] that we would survive. The memory lies hidden in the depths of her mind. [=she has not thought about the memory in a long time] in the depths of winter [=in the middle of winter; in the coldest part of winter]
3 [count] a : a very low or bad state or condition — usually plural After losing his job, he sank into the depths of misery/despair/depression. The film portrays a family's difficult climb from the depths of poverty. I can't believe he lied. He's really sunk to new depths. The team is reaching/plumbing new depths this season. [=the team is playing worse than it ever has before]
b : the worst part of something
I began working at the factory during the depth/depths of the Depression.
4 [noncount] : the quality of being deep: such as a : the quality of being strongly felt
We were surprised by the depth of her anger/pain/shame. He wanted to express the depth of his love for her. No one doubted the depth of his faith. [=they all knew that his faith was strong] the depth of her commitment to the project The dancers expressed great depth of feeling/emotion.
b : the quality of being very bad or serious
I was shocked when I realized the depth of the problem.
c : the quality of being complete or thorough
We were impressed by the depth [=extent] of her experience/knowledge. Your essay lacks depth. [=it does not cover its topic in a complete way]
d : the quality of being strong in color, taste, etc.
the depth of a color The wine has great depth of flavor.
e : the quality of being low in sound
the depth of his voice
f US, sports : the quality of having many good players on a team
The team lacks depth this year.
in depth
: in a thorough or complete way
The problem has yet to be examined/explored/studied in depth. [=thoroughly] These topics need to be discussed in (more/greater) depth.see also in-depth
out of your depth also beyond your depth
1 : dealing with a situation or subject that is too difficult for you
When the debate turned to physics, I knew that I was out of my depth. [=in over my head]
2 chiefly Brit : in water that is deeper than your height
He is just getting used to swimming in water that is out of his depth. [=over his head]

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