deeply

Deeply is an adverb formed from the adjective deep by adding the suffix -ly. It conveys extent or manner that is profound, intense, or thorough. In ordinary speech it often modifies verbs or adjectives to express emotional intensity (deeply upset), cognitive depth (deeply thoughtful), moral or ethical weight (deeply committed), or figurative depth (dig deeply).

The word can describe how strongly a feeling or belief is held, how sincerely an action is performed, or how thoroughly something is done (read deeply, probe deeply). It appears in positive, negative, or neutral contexts. It is often contrasted with profoundly, which commonly emphasizes conceptual, intellectual, or fundamental depth rather than emotional nuance; and with greatly or intensely for more generalized intensity.

Etymology: deeply stems from the adjective deep, whose origin traces back to Old English deop, related to Germanic roots; the -ly suffix marks a word as an adverb in modern English.

Usage notes: deeply is most common in analytical, literary, or formal registers; in casual speech, speakers may opt for very or highly in some contexts (very upset, highly concerned). It can be used with participles and adjectives (deeply moved, deeply rooted) and with verbs (to deeply regret). Some phrases carry idiomatic meaning beyond literal depth, such as “deeply ingrained” or “deeply personal.”