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Meaning & use

deeply

adverb·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈdiːpli/
US/ˈdiːpli/

Meanings

  1. adverbnot comparable

    To a great extent or with strong feeling.

    Grammar: Often placed before an adjective or past participle: deeply moved.

    Patterns

    • deeply + adjective
    • deeply + past participle

    She was deeply grateful for their help.

    The news deeply upset him.

    We are deeply concerned about the delay.

  2. adverbnot comparable

    Far down or far into something, in a physical way.

    Grammar: Used with verbs of digging, breathing or cutting.

    Patterns

    • breathe deeply
    • dig deeply

    He breathed deeply and began to speak.

    The roots grew deeply into the soil.

    The cut went deeply into his arm.

  3. adverbnot comparable

    In a thorough or intense way, especially of sleep, thought or study.

    Grammar: Often follows verbs such as sleep, think or look.

    Patterns

    • sleep deeply
    • think deeply

    The baby slept deeply through the thunder.

    She thought deeply about the problem.

    He was deeply immersed in his book.

Word forms

comparativemore deeply
superlativemost deeply

Common combinations

deeply concerned
Parents are deeply concerned about safety.
deeply moved
The audience was deeply moved.
breathe deeply
Breathe deeply and relax.
deeply rooted
Their traditions are deeply rooted.
sleep deeply
He slept deeply after the long hike.
deeply regret
I deeply regret my mistake.

Synonyms and how they differ

profoundly
Profoundly is more formal and suits thoughts or changes, while deeply is general.
intensely
Intensely stresses force or strength of feeling, not the physical depth.
very
Very is a simple intensifier and carries none of the sense of emotional depth.
thoroughly
Thoroughly means completely or carefully, whereas deeply stresses feeling or depth.

Opposites

slightlyshallowly

Word family

deep adjective
extending far down or inward
depth noun
distance down or inward
deepen verb
to become or make deeper
deepness noun
the quality of being deep

Commonly confused: deeply or deep?

deeply vs deep

Deep is also an adverb in 'dig deep', but deeply is more usual for feelings: deeply sorry, not deep sorry.

Practice

I am ___ sorry for the trouble I caused.

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