WordGarden.iodeepen
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /dˈiːpən/
US
- /ˈdipən/
Meanings
Verb
to become or make something more intense, serious, or strong
to become or make something physically deeper
to make knowledge or understanding stronger and more complete
Beyond the definition
Just like a river carves its path deeper into the earth over time, to deepen something means to make it stronger, more profound, or more intense. You might deepen your understanding of a subject by studying it further, or deepen a friendship through shared experiences.
Think about sound—a deep voice has a richer, fuller quality than a high-pitched one. Similarly, when you deepen a color, you make it more vibrant and saturated. It's not just about adding more of something; it's about enhancing its existing qualities. A detective might deepen an investigation to uncover hidden clues, or a musician might deepen their practice to master a difficult piece.
To deepen means to make something more intense, profound, or significant over time. It implies a process of growth, development, or intensification—not just a simple increase in quantity, but an enhancement of quality.
You can deepen relationships by sharing vulnerabilities and building trust. For example: "Years of shared experiences had deepened their bond." You might deepen your knowledge of history through extensive research, or deepen your commitment to a cause by volunteering your time.
The word often carries a metaphorical weight. A deepening crisis suggests a worsening situation, while a deepening sense of loss implies an increasing feeling of sorrow. It can also refer to physical changes—like a riverbed deepening over centuries due to erosion.
Consider the phrase "to deepen one's resolve." This doesn't mean simply deciding something more firmly; it suggests strengthening your determination through introspection and commitment.
So, whether you are talking about emotions, knowledge, relationships, or even physical landscapes, deepen describes a process of making something richer, stronger, and more significant over time—moving beyond the surface to explore greater depths.
Examples
- 1
Voice change
His voice deepened in his late teens.
- 2
Color change
The red in the leaves deepened as autumn went on.
- 3
Economic trouble
The recession deepened after several large factories closed.
- 4
Understanding
Reading the original letters helped deepen her understanding of the war.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Personal interest
Living abroad for a year deepened his interest in other cultures.
- 6
Relationship
Going through that difficult time together deepened their friendship.
- 7
Public concern
The report only deepened public concern about air quality.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- deepenverb
Forms
- deepening-ing formverb
- deepenedpast tenseverb
- deepensverb