deepen

From deep +‎ -en.

• IPA^(key): /ˈdiːpən/

• Audio (Southern England)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -iːpən

deepen (third-person singular simple present deepens, present participle deepening, simple past and past participle deepened)

1. (transitive) To make deep or deeper

   They deepened the well by 200 feet.

2. (transitive) To make darker or more intense; to darken

   The event deepened the prevailing gloom.

3. (transitive) To make more poignant or affecting; to increase in degree

   News of her death deepened my sorrow.

4. (transitive) To make lower in tone

   The tuner deepened the tone of the organ.

5. (transitive) To make more thorough or extensive.

   The class deepened my understanding of the subject.

6. (transitive) To make more intimate.

   The shared experiences deepened our relationship.

7. (transitive) To make more sound or heavy.

   The hypnotist then proceeded to deepen his trance.

8. (intransitive) To become deeper

   The water deepens as you go toward the middle of the channel.

9. (intransitive) To become darker or more intense

   The crisis deepened in the following weeks.

10. (intransitive) To become lower in tone

    His voice deepened with age.

11. (intransitive) To become more thorough or extensive.

    His skill in deciphering the texts deepened with practice.

12. (intransitive) To become more intimate.

    The conversation deepened and they began to truly share.

    • 2001, Susan Stryker, Queer Pulp, page 104:

      He's in the process of breaking up with one boyfriend, who refuses to let their relationship deepen, and courting another, who promises to be somebody with whom he could grow old.

13. (intransitive) To become more sound or heavy.

    The new bed allowed my sleep to deepen.

• depthen

• peened