deepen Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb make more intense, stronger, or more marked
    heighten; intensify; compound.
    • The efforts were intensified", "Her rudeness intensified his dislike for her
    • Pot smokers claim it heightens their awareness
    • This event only deepened my convictions
  2. verb become more intense
    intensify.
    • The debate intensified
    • His dislike for raw fish only deepened in Japan
  3. verb make deeper
    • They deepened the lake so that bigger pleasure boats could use it
  4. verb become deeper in tone
    change.
    • His voice began to change when he was 12 years old
    • Her voice deepened when she whispered the password

WordNet

Deep"en transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Deepened ; present participle & verbal noun Deepening
Definitions
  1. To make deep or deeper; to increase the depth of; to sink lower; as, to deepen a well or a channel.
    It would . . . deepen the bed of the Tiber. Addison.
  2. To make darker or more intense; to darken; as, the event deepened the prevailing gloom.
    You must deepen your colors. Peacham.
  3. To make more poignant or affecting; to increase in degree; as, to deepen grief or sorrow.
  4. To make more grave or low in tone; as, to deepen the tones of an organ.
    Deepens the murmur of the falling floods. Pope.
Deep"en intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To become deeper; as, the water deepens at every cast of the lead; the plot deepens.
    His blood-red tresses deepening in the sun. Byron.

Webster 1913