depth
/depθ/ (bre, ipa) · /depθ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdepth/ (ame, mw)
depth — noun
1. How far down something goes, measured from its surface or top edge to its bottom
How far down something goes, measured from its surface or top edge to its bottom.
The swimming pool has a depth of two metres at the deep end.
collocation: has a depth of [number]
Divers measured the depth of the lake before the team started building the bridge.
What is the depth of the hole that the workers dug in the backyard?
The robot can explore ocean areas where the depth reaches over 4000 metres.
- deepness
less common; used for physical depth in everyday speech
- shallowness
used when something is not deep at all
文法句型
depth + of + number + unit
用法筆記
Uncountable when referring to the abstract quality; countable when stating a specific measurement (e.g. 'a depth of 3 metres').
常見錯誤
2. The part of the ocean or a large body of water that is far below the surface, wh
The part of the ocean or a large body of water that is far below the surface, where the water is deep, dark, and far down.
The fish live in the depths of the Pacific Ocean.
the depths of [place]
Creatures in the depths of the sea have adapted to complete darkness.
The submarine descended into the depths to study the ocean floor.
Many strange animals can be found in the dark depths of the ocean.
- surface
the top layer of water, as opposed to the depths below
文法句型
the depths of [place]
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural form 'depths', especially in literary or descriptive writing.
3. The quality of being serious, complex, and involving careful thought or detailed
The quality of being serious, complex, and involving careful thought or detailed understanding, rather than being simple or superficial.
The professor's lecture had great depth and made everyone think more carefully.
This novel has a surprising depth for a story aimed at younger readers.
Bilal's argument lacked depth and failed to address the main questions.
The depth of Élise's understanding of the subject impressed all her classmates.
- profundity
more formal and literary; emphasises intellectual or spiritual depth
- substance
focuses on having meaningful content rather than being empty or trivial
- superficiality
the quality of being shallow and not thoughtful
- shallowness
lack of serious or meaningful qualities
文法句型
depth + of + abstract noun
用法筆記
Subject is often a piece of work (writing, film, speech) or a person's knowledge. Contrasts with 'superficiality' or 'shallowness'.
常見錯誤
4. The state of being thorough, careful, and complete, covering every important det
The state of being thorough, careful, and complete, covering every important detail of a subject or issue.
The committee's report examines each stage of the process in great depth.
in great depth
The journalist investigated the case in depth before writing the article.
in depth
We need to study this topic in depth if we want to understand it fully.
The course covers the history of the region in great depth.
- thoroughness
direct synonym; focuses on completeness and attention to detail
- detail
useful in the phrase 'in detail' as an alternative to 'in depth'
- superficially
done in a shallow or incomplete way, without attention to detail
文法句型
in depth
in great depth
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed adverbial phrase 'in depth' or 'in great depth'. This is different from 'with depth' (Sense 3 — intellectual substance). 'In depth' describes HOW something is done, not the quality of the thing itself.
常見錯誤
5. The measurement from the front of something to its back, used for furniture, roo
The measurement from the front of something to its back, used for furniture, rooms, shelves, and other objects with a front and back side.
The kitchen cupboard is 60 centimetres in depth and 80 wide.
collocation: [number] in depth
Check the depth of the shelf before you buy the storage boxes.
The living room is about five metres in depth from window to back wall.
The engineer measured the depth of the drawer to make sure the tools would fit.
文法句型
depth + of + number + unit
用法筆記
Distinguish from 'width' (side-to-side) and 'height' (top-to-bottom). In furniture and architecture, depth is the front-to-back dimension, while width is side-to-side.
常見錯誤
❌ 'The desk is 120 centimetres wide and 60 centimetres deep.' — This is correct when using the adjective 'deep', not a mistake. Just be aware that 'depth' is the noun form.
6. The fact that a feeling, emotion, experience, or situation is extremely strong,
The fact that a feeling, emotion, experience, or situation is extremely strong, powerful, and deeply felt rather than mild or surface-level.
The depth of Yasmin's grief surprised everyone who knew her.
the depth of [emotion]
Felix did not know the depth of his father's anger until his father shouted.
The depth of the economic crisis grew worse with each passing week.
Only then did Lakan and Mira understand the depth of their love for each other.
- mildness
a low degree of emotional strength
文法句型
the depth of [emotion/experience]
用法筆記
Frequently used with negative emotions (grief, despair, anger) or serious problems (crisis, recession). When used with positive emotions (love, joy), it often implies a moment of realisation.
7. a rich and satisfying quality in food or drink that makes it taste full and well
a rich and satisfying quality in food or drink that makes it taste full and well-developed, often achieved through slow cooking, quality ingredients, or ageing.
The mushroom soup Gabriel made had a surprising depth of flavour.
collocation: depth of flavour
Marco chose the red wine for its depth and long, smooth finish.
Dahlia added dark cocoa powder to give the chocolate cake more depth.
The curry got its wonderful depth of taste from slow-cooked spices and onions.
Fresh herbs can give a simple pasta sauce an unexpected depth of flavour.
- richness
focuses on the full, intense quality; 'depth' adds the idea of layers of flavour
- intensity
more general; 'depth' implies a pleasant, developed intensity rather than just strength
- complexity
highlights the variety of flavour notes; 'depth' suggests a single rich quality
- shallowness
of flavour — lacking depth or fullness
- flatness
describes a dull, one-dimensional taste without richness
文法句型
depth of [flavour/taste]
用法筆記
Commonly appears in the phrases 'depth of flavour' and 'depth of taste'. Typically describes complex cooked dishes, aged cheeses, and fermented or slow-brewed drinks such as wine, coffee, or broth — not simple or raw ingredients.
常見錯誤
8. how dark and rich a colour looks, especially when it is strong rather than pale
how dark and rich a colour looks, especially when it is strong rather than pale or light.
The artist painted layer after layer to give the sky more depth of blue.
pattern: depth of [colour name]
Heloísa stood watching the depth of red spread across the evening sky.
Autumn leaves show an amazing depth of colour just before they fall.
Tamar was impressed by the depth of the sapphire blue in the antique vase.
This fabric dye produces a wonderful depth of colour that lasts for years.
- intensity
broader than 'depth'; can describe any strength of colour, including bright ones
- richness
similar to 'depth' but emphasises the luxurious or full quality rather than the darkness
- saturation
a technical term used in colour theory; 'depth' is more natural in everyday language
文法句型
depth of [colour]
用法筆記
Typically used with dark or intense colours such as blue, red, purple, and green — not with pastels or pale shades. Often found in descriptions of painting, photography, fabric, and natural scenery.
常見錯誤
9. how low a sound or voice is on the musical scale, creating a full and resonant t
how low a sound or voice is on the musical scale, creating a full and resonant tone.
Christopher's voice had a natural depth that suited radio announcing perfectly.
collocation: depth of voice
Eri loved how the cello's low notes filled the hall with warmth and depth.
The church organ produced a depth of sound that visitors felt in their chests.
Dario's singing voice gained more depth after months of daily practice.
The bass guitar added a depth to the song that made the crowd nod along.
- thinness
describes a weak, high-pitched sound with no body
- shrillness
describes an unpleasant high-pitched sound
文法句型
depth of [sound/voice/tone]
用法筆記
Often describes a voice (especially a man's) or a musical instrument such as a cello, double bass, organ, or bass guitar. The depth of a sound is something you can feel physically through vibration as well as hear.