deepen

UK [ˈdiːpən] / US [ˈdɪpən] verb
Word forms "deepen":
present tense I/you/we/they deepen he/she/it deepens present participle deepening past tense deepened past participle deepened

1) [intransitive] if a bad situation deepens, it becomes worse

The economic crisis has deepened.

a deepening conflict between the political rivals

2) [intransitive/transitive] if a feeling or relationship deepens, or if something deepens it, it becomes stronger

His anxiety deepened when he heard the news.

Both sides are now deepening their commitment to the peace process.

3) [intransitive/transitive] if someone's knowledge or understanding deepens, or if something deepens it, they know or understand more

I'm trying to deepen my understanding of local history.

4) [intransitive/transitive] if a mystery deepens, or if something deepens it, it becomes more complicated and difficult to understand

5) [intransitive/transitive] if water deepens, or if someone deepens it, it becomes deeper

plans to deepen channels in the Port of Southampton

6) [intransitive] if a colour deepens, it becomes darker

As evening arrived, the shadows deepened.

7) [intransitive/transitive] if a sound deepens, or if someone deepens it, it becomes lower

The man suddenly deepened his voice.