deepen

Deepen is a verb in English that means to cause something to be deeper or to become deeper. It is used in literal contexts, where physical depth is increased, and in figurative contexts, where intensity, complexity, or significance is heightened.

In literal usage, deepen often describes increasing the depth of a body of water or a physical space. For example, dredging can deepen a harbor, a trench can be deepened, or a lake’s water level may deepen after a heavy rain. Intransitive usage is possible as well: the river deepened after the storm, meaning its depth became greater without specifying a cause.

In figurative usage, deepen describes increasing non-physical qualities such as understanding, knowledge, relationships, or emotions. Common phrases include deepen one’s understanding, deepen a relationship, deepen a crisis, or deepen color, where color becomes richer or more intense. Deepening is frequently used in academic, diplomatic, or artistic contexts to indicate growing complexity, commitment, or nuance.

Forms and grammar: deepen is the base form; the present tense adds -s (deepens). The past tense and past participle are deepened, and the present participle or gerund is deepening. The verb can be used transitively (deepen something) or intransitively (the story deepens).

Etymology: the verb is formed from the adjective deep with the verb-forming suffix -en. It shares roots with related words indicating increased depth or intensity.

See also: depth, deepen one’s knowledge, deepen color, deepen relationships.