depth
/depθ/ (bre, ipa) · /depθ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdepth/ (ame, mw)
depth — 名詞
1. How far down something goes, measured from its surface or top edge to its bottom
深度
從頂部到底部的距離
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.
游泳池深水區的深度是兩公尺。
collocation: has a depth of [number]
Divers measured the depth of the lake before the team started building the bridge.
潛水員在團隊開始建造橋樑之前測量了湖泊的深度。
What is the depth of the hole that the workers dug in the backyard?
工人在後院挖的那個洞有多深？
The robot can explore ocean areas where the depth reaches over 4000 metres.
這台機器人可以探索深度超過四千公尺的海洋區域。
- 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
深處；深海
海洋深遠幽暗的底部
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.
這些魚生活在太平洋的深處。
the depths of [place]
Creatures in the depths of the sea have adapted to complete darkness.
深海中的生物已經適應了完全的黑暗。
The submarine descended into the depths to study the ocean floor.
潛艇潛入深海研究海底。
Many strange animals can be found in the dark depths of the ocean.
在海洋的黑暗深處可以發現許多奇特的動物。
- 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
深度；深刻
思想內容豐富深入的特質
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.
教授的講座極具深度，讓每個人都更認真思考。
This novel has a surprising depth for a story aimed at younger readers.
這本以年輕讀者為訴求的小說，深度出乎意料。
Bilal's argument lacked depth and failed to address the main questions.
Bilal 的論點缺乏深度，未能回答主要的問題。
The depth of Élise's understanding of the subject impressed all her classmates.
Élise 對這個主題理解的深度讓所有同學印象深刻。
- 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
深入；徹底
全面且詳細的處理方式
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.
委員會的報告非常深入地探討了流程的每個階段。
in great depth
The journalist investigated the case in depth before writing the article.
那位記者在寫文章之前深入調查了這個案子。
in depth
We need to study this topic in depth if we want to understand it fully.
我們如果想充分理解這個主題，就必須深入研讀。
The course covers the history of the region in great depth.
這門課程非常深入地介紹了該地區的歷史。
- 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
縱深；深度
物體前後之間的距離
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.
廚房櫥櫃的縱深是六十公分，寬度八十公分。
collocation: [number] in depth
Check the depth of the shelf before you buy the storage boxes.
買收納盒之前先確認架子的深度。
The living room is about five metres in depth from window to back wall.
客廳從窗戶到後牆的縱深大約是五公尺。
The engineer measured the depth of the drawer to make sure the tools would fit.
工程師測量了抽屜的深度以確保工具放得下。
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,
深刻；強烈
情感或經歷的強烈程度
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.
Yasmin 悲傷之深，讓所有認識她的人都感到驚訝。
the depth of [emotion]
Felix did not know the depth of his father's anger until his father shouted.
Felix 直到父親大吼，才知道父親的怒氣有多強烈。
The depth of the economic crisis grew worse with each passing week.
經濟危機的嚴重程度隨著時間每週都在惡化。
Only then did Lakan and Mira understand the depth of their love for each other.
直到那一刻，Lakan 和 Mira 才理解他們對彼此的愛有多深。
- 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
濃郁
食物或飲料豐富飽滿的滋味
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.
Gabriel 做的蘑菇湯味道出乎意料地濃郁。
collocation: depth of flavour
Marco chose the red wine for its depth and long, smooth finish.
Marco 選了這款紅酒，因為它口感醇厚、餘韻悠長。
Dahlia added dark cocoa powder to give the chocolate cake more depth.
Dahlia 加了深色可可粉，讓巧克力蛋糕的味道更有深度。
The curry got its wonderful depth of taste from slow-cooked spices and onions.
這道咖哩的濃郁風味來自慢火熬煮的香料和洋蔥。
Fresh herbs can give a simple pasta sauce an unexpected depth of flavour.
新鮮香草能讓簡單的義大利麵醬擁有出乎意料的濃郁風味。
- 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
濃厚
顏色深沉飽滿的品質
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.
畫家一層層地上色，讓天空的藍色更有層次。
pattern: depth of [colour name]
Heloísa stood watching the depth of red spread across the evening sky.
Heloísa 站在那裡，看著深沉的紅色布滿了傍晚的天空。
Autumn leaves show an amazing depth of colour just before they fall.
秋天的樹葉在落下之前會展現出驚人的濃郁色彩。
Tamar was impressed by the depth of the sapphire blue in the antique vase.
Tamar 對古董花瓶上那種藍寶石色的深度印象深刻。
This fabric dye produces a wonderful depth of colour that lasts for years.
這種布料染料能產生極佳的濃郁色彩，而且持久不褪。
- 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
低沉
聲音或音調低沉的品質
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.
Christopher 的聲音有一種天生的低沉特質，非常適合廣播主持。
collocation: depth of voice
Eri loved how the cello's low notes filled the hall with warmth and depth.
Eri 很喜歡大提琴的低音在音樂廳中迴盪的溫暖和深沉。
The church organ produced a depth of sound that visitors felt in their chests.
教堂管風琴發出的低沉音色，連訪客的胸口都能感受到震動。
Dario's singing voice gained more depth after months of daily practice.
Dario 經過幾個月的日常練習，歌聲變得更加渾厚低沉。
The bass guitar added a depth to the song that made the crowd nod along.
貝斯吉他為這首歌增添了低沉音色，讓觀眾隨著節奏點頭。
- 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.