deeper
deeper — adjective
1. having more distance than something else from the top surface down to the bottom
having more distance than something else from the top surface down to the bottom — for example, a swimming pool that goes further down than another one, or a cut that goes further into the skin than another cut.
The well behind the old barn was much deeper than the one near the farmhouse.
comparative: deeper + than
As the diver swam deeper, the water turned a dark shade of blue.
deeper as adjective complement after verb
The hole the workers dug for the new swimming pool was deeper than expected.
Dr. Amara said the cut on the child's knee was deeper than it looked and needed stitches.
- lower
focuses on vertical position rather than distance from the top
- more profound
more formal and less common in physical contexts
- shallower
the direct opposite — less distance from top to bottom
文法句型
deeper + than
much deeper
even deeper
用法筆記
This is the most common comparative sense of 'deep'. Frequently followed by 'than' to introduce the thing being compared.
常見錯誤
2. having a larger distance from the front to the back than something else — for ex
having a larger distance from the front to the back than something else — for example, a shelf that sticks out further from the wall, or a stage that extends further from the audience.
The new bookshelf is deeper than the old one, so it can hold large art books.
comparative: deeper + than
The stage at the concert hall is deeper than the one at the community theater.
This kitchen cabinet is deeper than the previous model and offers more storage space.
The balcony of the hotel room was deeper than Kwame had expected, with room for two chairs.
- more spacious
broader meaning that includes depth, width, and height
- shallower
less distance from front to back
文法句型
deeper + than
much deeper
用法筆記
Describes horizontal depth (front-to-back), not vertical depth (top-to-bottom). Common when comparing furniture, vehicles, stage areas, and shelves.
常見錯誤
3. located closer to the middle of a space or area, and further from the outer edge
located closer to the middle of a space or area, and further from the outer edges — for example, a room that is further into a building, or a position that is further from the boundary of a forest or cave.
The Watanabe family's cabin was deeper in the woods than any other building.
deeper + in + place
As they walked deeper into the cave, the passage became narrower.
deeper + into + place
The seat Diego chose was deeper in the stadium, closer to the center line.
The treasure was hidden deeper inside the temple than the explorers first guessed.
- further in
more common in everyday speech
- more central
focuses on the center location
- closer to the edge
nearer the boundary or outer limit
文法句型
deeper + in/into
deeper + inside
用法筆記
Often followed by prepositions like 'in', 'into', or 'inside'. Describes a position within a bounded area, not a general depth measurement.
常見錯誤
4. felt or experienced more strongly than before, especially about emotions such as
felt or experienced more strongly than before, especially about emotions such as love, sadness, worry, or respect — for example, a feeling of affection that becomes stronger over time, or a sense of disappointment that grows when things get worse.
After living together for a year, Fatima's love for her partner grew deeper every day.
grow + deeper + emotion
The apology Theo offered was deeper and more sincere than Luisa had expected.
Hassan's disappointment became deeper when he learned the concert was canceled.
The grief the Wang family felt grew deeper as the months passed without any news.
- stronger
more general, can be used for both emotions and physical sensations
- more profound
more formal, suggests intellectual or spiritual depth
文法句型
deeper + emotion noun
even deeper
grow deeper
用法筆記
Subject is usually an emotion or feeling (love, sadness, respect, gratitude, concern). Common verbs: 'grow', 'become', 'get'. Not used for physical sensations like pain or cold.
常見錯誤
5. producing a sound that is lower in pitch than another sound — for example, a man
producing a sound that is lower in pitch than another sound — for example, a man's speaking voice that drops to a lower tone as he grows up, or a musical instrument that produces a lower note than another instrument.
As the teenage boy's voice changed, it became deeper and more resonant.
become deeper — voice change
The cello produces a deeper sound than the violin, with a warmer tone.
deeper + than — instrument comparison
The singer's voice grew deeper after years of professional training.
The rumble of the thunder was deeper than the noise of the passing train.
- lower
more common in musical contexts — 'a lower note'
- more bass-like
describes the low-frequency quality
- more resonant
suggests a rich, full low sound
- higher
higher in pitch
- more high-pitched
a shriller or treble sound
文法句型
deeper + than
get deeper
grow deeper
用法筆記
Describes pitch, not volume. A deeper sound is lower in frequency (like a bass guitar), not quieter or louder.
常見錯誤
6. requiring or showing more serious thought than something else, or being harder t
requiring or showing more serious thought than something else, or being harder to understand — for example, a question about life that has no simple answer, or the hidden meaning behind a story that you only notice after reading it more than once.
The philosophy lecture raised deeper questions about the nature of truth.
deeper + questions — abstract inquiry
After reading the novel a second time, Elena understood its deeper meaning.
deeper + meaning — hidden significance
The journalist investigated the deeper causes of the housing crisis.
The documentary explores deeper issues about inequality in the education system.
- more profound
more formal; suggests great intellectual depth
- more complex
focuses on difficulty and many layers
- more insightful
suggests penetrating understanding
- more superficial
more obvious and requiring less thought
- shallower
less intellectually demanding
文法句型
deeper + meaning/question/issue
deeper understanding
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 4 (MORE INTENSE): this sense is about intellectual depth (complexity, insight, analysis), not emotional intensity. Collocates with 'meaning', 'question', 'issue', 'understanding', 'level'.
常見錯誤
7. stronger and darker in colour than something else — for example, a paint colour
stronger and darker in colour than something else — for example, a paint colour that has less white mixed in, or a sky that turns a richer blue as evening comes.
The painter mixed more blue paint to make the shade deeper and richer.
make + deeper — colour mixing
The red of the sunset was deeper than Chidi had ever seen before.
deeper + than — colour comparison
Freya chose a deeper shade of green for the living room walls.
As autumn arrived, the leaves turned a deeper shade of orange each week.
- darker
the most common synonym — a darker shade
- richer
suggests more saturated and vibrant colour
- more intense
stronger colour with more pigment
文法句型
deeper + colour
deeper shade of
用法筆記
Used mainly with colours. A deeper colour has more pigment or saturation — it is the opposite of 'lighter' or 'paler.' Not used for brightness (use 'brighter' for that).
常見錯誤
8. positioned further away from the person hitting the ball in sports like baseball
positioned further away from the person hitting the ball in sports like baseball or cricket — for example, an outfielder who stands closer to the fence than usual to catch long hits, or a fielder who moves back when a strong batter comes to the plate.
The coach told the outfielder to play deeper to catch the long balls from the hitter.
play deeper — sports positioning
In the second half, the defender moved deeper to protect the goal from attacks.
move deeper — defensive repositioning
The cricket fielder positioned himself deeper than usual for the fast bowler.
The shortstop moved deeper when the power hitter stepped up to the plate.
- further back
more general sports term
- more withdrawn
used in soccer for defenders dropping back
- closer to the batter
nearer the hitting position
- shorter
in cricket, a fielding position closer to the batsman
文法句型
play deeper
move deeper
position deeper
用法筆記
Used in baseball, cricket, softball, and similar sports. The comparative form is used when a coach or player adjusts their position relative to where they were before or where another player stands.
常見錯誤
deeper — adverb
1. to a greater distance down from the top or surface than something else — for exa
to a greater distance down from the top or surface than something else — for example, a submarine that travels further toward the ocean floor, or a hole that is dug further into the ground.
The submarine dove deeper into the ocean trench than any vessel before it.
dive deeper — physical descent
The archaeology team dug deeper to reach the ancient burial site below the top layer.
dig deeper — excavation
If you drill deeper, you might find a larger source of groundwater.
The anchor sank deeper into the muddy seabed as the tide pulled the boat.
- further down
more general, less formal
- to a greater depth
more formal and technical
- shallower
to a lesser depth
- closer to the surface
nearer the top
文法句型
go deeper
dig deeper
sink deeper
用法筆記
This is the most common adverbial comparative of 'deep'. It modifies verbs of motion or position (dive, dig, drill, sink, go). Can also be used figuratively — 'dig deeper into a topic' (investigate more thoroughly).
常見錯誤
2. closer to your own team's goal or defensive area than before, usually to prevent
closer to your own team's goal or defensive area than before, usually to prevent the other team from scoring — for example, a soccer team that moves its defenders backward when the opponents are attacking strongly.
The goalkeeper told the defenders to drop deeper when the other team attacked.
drop deeper — soccer defense
The hockey coach instructed the team to play deeper in their own defensive zone.
play deeper — hockey positioning
After losing the lead, the rugby team dropped deeper to protect their goal line.
The soccer defenders moved deeper as the opponent's forwards rushed toward the goal.
- further back
more general sports term
- closer to the goal
describes the defensive direction
- further forward
closer to the opponent's goal
- higher up the pitch
further from your own goal
文法句型
drop deeper
play deeper
sit deeper
用法筆記
Used in team sports (soccer, hockey, rugby, American football). The adverb modifies verbs: 'drop', 'play', 'sit', 'move', 'stand'. The team drops deeper = moves back toward their own goal defensively.