The word "deepen" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /ˈdiːpən/. The first sound is a long "ee" sound followed by the letter "d". The second syllable is pronounced with a short "uh" sound and the letter "p". The last syllable has the same short "uh" sound and ends with the letter "n". The spelling of "deepen" accurately reflects its pronunciation, making it an easy word to sound out and spell correctly.
Deepen (verb) - to make or become more intense, profound, or extensive.
When used transitively, "deepen" means to make something deeper, whether it is physical, emotional, intellectual, or metaphorical. It involves increasing the depth, extent, or intensity of something. For example, in the context of a relationship, to deepen it would mean to strengthen its emotional connection or to increase the level of intimacy.
Intransitively, "deepen" refers to the process of becoming deeper or more profound. While it can still apply to physical aspects such as the deepening of a river or the darkening of the sky, it is also used to describe the intensification of emotions, thoughts, or understanding. For instance, one's understanding of a complex subject matter can deepen through further study or research, resulting in a more comprehensive comprehension of the topic.
The term "deepening" is commonly used in various contexts, including personal growth, relationships, knowledge, emotions, and spirituality. It implies a progression towards a greater level of intensity, significance, or insight. Overall, whether in its transitive or intransitive form, "deepen" denotes a process of enhancing, expanding, or strengthening something in a way that brings about a deeper, more substantial and often more meaningful experience or understanding.
To sink lower; to make darker; to make more distressing or sad; to increase; to become deeper.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "deepen" originated from the Old English word "deopan" which means "to make deep or deeper". "Deopan" comes from the Proto-Germanic root word "deup" meaning "deep" or "profound". The word has remained relatively unchanged throughout history and has been in use in its current form since Middle English.