depth */*/*/

UK [depθ] / US noun
Word forms "depth":
singular depth plural depths

1) [countable/uncountable] the distance from the top to the bottom of something, for example the sea, a river, or a hole

depth of:

What's the depth of the water here?

in depth:

The pool ranges from 1 to 4 metres in depth.

to/at a depth of:

Pour oil into a pan to a depth of 1 inch.

a) the distance from the front to the back of something, for example a cupboard or drawer

depth of:

Measure the width and depth of the shelf.

b) the fact that something is very deep or very long from front to back

Any small object would be difficult to find because of the depth of the water.

2) [countable/uncountable] interesting qualities or ideas that are not immediately obvious

His earlier albums were very popular but lacked depth.

hidden depths:

She obviously had hidden depths of talent.

3) [uncountable] the great amount of knowledge or information that a person has or a piece of writing contains

depth of:

I was impressed by the depth of his understanding.

The newspaper is proud of the depth of its coverage of international affairs.

4) [uncountable] the great importance or seriousness of a situation

depth of:

These latest figures have confirmed the depth of the economic recession.

5) [uncountable] the great strength of a feeling

depth of:

I found it hard to understand the depth of her love for this man.

6) [uncountable] the very bright quality of a colour

depth of:

The plant produces flowers with a wonderful depth of colour.

7) [uncountable] if a picture has depth, it does not look flat but looks as if there is a distance between the things at the front and the background

8) [uncountable] the low and loud quality of a sound

his unmistakable voice with its depth and richness

9) the depths

[plural] literary the deepest parts of the sea

•

- the depths of something

- in depth

- in your depth

- out of your depth