Deep vs. Dip — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 12, 2024
Deep refers to a significant extent downward, inward, or backward, suggesting profoundness. Dip, however, signifies a brief or slight downward action or movement, often temporary.
Difference Between Deep and Dip
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Key Differences
Deep is often used to describe something extending far down from the top or surface, indicating considerable depth, whereas dip refers to a short, downward movement, such as immersing something quickly in a liquid or a slight decline in a surface or path.
When considering water bodies, deep waters are those with a great distance to the bottom, suggesting an area of significant depth and potentially dangerous for inexperienced swimmers. On the other hand, a dip in this context might refer to a brief swim or to a shallow area where the ground momentarily goes downward.
In the context of emotions or thoughts, deep is used metaphorically to describe profound or intense feelings, complex thoughts, or serious reflections. Conversely, dip could be used metaphorically to describe a momentary or minor decrease in mood or performance, but it's less commonly applied in emotional contexts.
Deep can also imply a thorough understanding or comprehensive knowledge of a subject, suggesting someone has delved into the complexities and nuances. Meanwhile, dip might be used to describe a cursory or superficial exploration of a subject, as in "dipping one's toes" into a new field of study, indicating a brief or initial engagement.
Regarding physical sensations or actions, deep might describe a penetrating sensation or a movement that involves a significant portion of the body, like a deep breath. In contrast, dip suggests a light, quick action, such as dipping a finger into water to test the temperature or briefly lowering the body in a physical exercise.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Extending far down, inward, or backward; profound
A brief or slight downward movement; to immerse momentarily
Physical Context
Great depth, as in a deep pool
A quick immersion or slight decline, as in a path
Emotional/Mental
Profound or intense feelings; thorough understanding
Momentary decrease in mood or superficial engagement
Usage in Language
Used to describe intensity, profundity, or extensive knowledge
Used for temporary actions, slight movements, or initial experiences
Examples
Deep sea exploration; deep thought
Dip in a pool; dip in performance
Compare with Definitions
Deep
Extending far down.
The cave was too deep for the explorers to reach the bottom.
Dip
A downward slope.
Watch out for the dip in the road ahead.
Deep
Thorough understanding.
She has a deep knowledge of medieval history.
Dip
Brief immersion.
He took a quick dip in the lake to cool off.
Deep
Profound or intense.
His deep love for her was evident in every action.
Dip
Slight decrease.
There was a slight dip in sales last quarter.
Deep
Resonant and low (sound).
The deep rumble of thunder echoed through the night.
Dip
To lower and raise.
She dipped her finger into the wine to taste it.
Deep
Significant or serious.
The discussion took a deep turn, touching on philosophical questions.
Dip
A condiment or sauce for dipping.
They served a spicy dip with the chips.
Deep
Extending far down from the top or surface
The lake was deep and cold
A deep gorge
Dip
To plunge briefly into a liquid, as in order to wet, coat, or saturate.
Deep
Very intense or extreme
She was in deep trouble
A deep sleep
Dip
To color or dye by immersing
Dip Easter eggs.
Deep
(of sound) low in pitch and full in tone; not shrill
A deep, resonant voice
Dip
To immerse (a sheep or other animal) in a disinfectant solution.
Deep
(of colour) dark and intense
A deep pink
Dip
To form (a candle) by repeatedly immersing a wick in melted wax or tallow.
Deep
The sea
Denizens of the deep
Dip
To galvanize or plate (metal) by immersion.
Deep
The part of the field distant from the batsman.
Dip
To scoop up by plunging the hand or a receptacle below the surface, as of a liquid; ladle
Dip water out of a bucket.
Deep
Far down or in; deeply
He travelled deep into the forest
Dip
To lower and raise (a flag) in salute.
Deep
Extending far downward below a surface
A deep hole in the river ice.
Dip
To lower or drop (something) suddenly
Dipped my head to avoid the branch.
Deep
Extending far inward from an outer surface
A deep cut.
Dip
(Slang) To pick the pockets of.
Deep
Extending far backward from front to rear
A deep walk-in refrigerator.
Dip
To plunge into water or other liquid and come out quickly.
Deep
Extending far from side to side from a center
A deep yard surrounding the house.
Dip
To plunge the hand or a receptacle into liquid or a container, especially so as to take something up or out
I dipped into my pocket for some coins.
Deep
Far distant down or in
Deep in the woods.
Dip
To withdraw a small amount from a fund
We dipped into our savings.
Deep
Coming from or penetrating to a depth
A deep sigh.
Dip
To drop down or sink out of sight suddenly
The sun dipped below the horizon.
Deep
(Sports) Located or taking place near the outer boundaries of the area of play
Deep left field.
Dip
To drop suddenly before climbing. Used of an aircraft.
Deep
Extending a specific distance in a given direction
Snow four feet deep.
Dip
To slope downward; decline
The road dipped.
Deep
Far distant in time or space
Deep in the past.
Dip
To decline slightly and usually temporarily
Sales dipped after Christmas.
Deep
Difficult to penetrate or understand; recondite
A deep metaphysical theory.
Dip
(Geology) To lie at an angle to the horizontal plane, as a rock stratum or vein.
Deep
Of a mysterious or obscure nature
A deep secret.
Ancient and deep tribal rites.
Dip
To read here and there at random; browse
Dipping into Chaucer.
Deep
Very learned or intellectual; wise
A deep philosopher.
Dip
To investigate a subject superficially; dabble
Dipped into psychology.
Deep
Exhibiting great cunning or craft
Deep political machinations.
Dip
(Slang) To steal by picking pockets.
Deep
Of a grave or extreme nature
Deep trouble.
Deepest deceit.
Dip
To place a preparation of finely shredded tobacco in one's mouth.
Deep
Very absorbed or involved
Deep in thought.
Deep in financial difficulties.
Dip
A brief plunge or immersion, especially a quick swim.
Deep
Profound in quality or feeling
A deep trance.
Deep devotion.
Dip
A liquid into which something is dipped, as for dyeing or disinfecting.
Deep
Rich and intense in shade. Used of a color
A deep red.
Dip
A savory creamy mixture into which crackers, raw vegetables, or other foods may be dipped.
Deep
Low in pitch; resonant
A deep voice.
Dip
An amount taken up by dipping.
Deep
Covered or surrounded to a designated degree. Often used in combination
Waist-deep in the water.
Ankle-deep in snow.
Dip
A container for dipping.
Deep
Large in quantity or size; big
Deep cuts in the budget.
Dip
A candle made by repeated dipping in tallow or wax.
Deep
(Sports) Having a sufficient number of capable reserve players
That team is not very deep.
Dip
A downward slope; a decline.
Deep
To a great depth; deeply
Dig deep.
Feelings that run deep.
Dip
A sharp downward course; a drop
A dip in prices.
Deep
Well along in time; late
Worked deep into the night.
Dip
(Geology) The downward inclination of a rock stratum or vein in reference to the plane of the horizon.
Deep
(Sports) Close to the outer boundaries of the area of play
Played deep for the first three innings.
Ran deep into their opponents' territory.
Dip
(Linguistics) A part of a phrase or sentence that is unstressed or less strongly stressed relative to surrounding words, as the words I and to in I have to go.
Deep
A deep place in land or in a body of water
Drowned in the deep of the river.
Dip
The unstressed portion of a metrical foot.
Deep
A vast, immeasurable extent
The deep of outer space.
Dip
Magnetic dip.
Deep
The extent of encompassing time or space; firmament.
Dip
A hollow or depression.
Deep
The most intense or extreme part
The deep of night.
Dip
(Sports) A gymnastic exercise on the parallel bars in which the body is lowered by bending the elbows until the chin reaches the level of the bars and then is raised by straightening the arms.
Deep
The ocean.
Dip
(Slang) A pickpocket.
Deep
(Nautical) A sounding that falls between marks on a lead line and thus corresponds to an estimated depth rather than a precise depth.
Dip
(Slang) A foolish or stupid person.
Deep
Extending far away from a point of reference, especially downwards.
Dip
A preparation of finely shredded tobacco, usually placed between the lower lip and gum. Also called snuff.
Deep
Extending far down from the top, or surface, to the bottom, literally or figuratively.
The lake is extremely deep.
We hiked into a deep valley between tall mountains.
There was a deep layer of dust on the floor; the room had not been disturbed for many years.
In the mid-1970s, the economy went into a deep recession.
We are in deep trouble.
Dip
A lower section of a road or geological feature.
There is a dip in the road ahead.
Deep
Far in extent in another (non-downwards, but generally also non-upwards) direction away from a point of reference.
The shelves are 30 centimetres deep. — They are deep shelves.
Dip
Inclination downward; direction below a horizontal line; slope; pitch.
Deep
(in combination) Extending to a level or length equivalent to the stated thing.
The water was waist-deep.
There is an arm-deep hole in the wall.
Dip
The action of dipping or plunging for a moment into a liquid.
Deep
In a (specified) number of rows or layers.
A crowd three deep along the funeral procession
Dip
A tank or trough where cattle or sheep are immersed in chemicals to kill parasites.
Deep
Thick.
That cyclist's deep chest allows him to draw more air.
Dip
A dip stick.
Deep
Voluminous.
To take a deep breath / sigh / drink
Dip
A swim, usually a short swim to refresh.
I’m going for a dip before breakfast.
Deep
Positioned or reaching far, especially down through something or into something.
Diving down to deep wrecks can be dangerous.
I can't get the bullet out – it's too deep.
Dip
A pickpocket.
Deep
Complex, involved.
Dip
A sauce for dipping.
This onion dip is just scrumptious.
Deep
Profound, having great meaning or import, but possibly obscure or not obvious.
That is a deep thought!
Dip
(geology) The angle from horizontal of a planar geologic surface, such as a fault line.
Deep
Significant, not superficial, in extent.
They're in deep discussion.
Dip
(archaic) A dipped candle.
Deep
Hard to penetrate or comprehend; profound; intricate; obscure.
A deep subject or plot
Dip
(dance) A move in many different styles of partner dances, often performed at the end of a dance, in which the follower leans far to the side and is supported by the leader.
Deep
Of penetrating or far-reaching intellect; not superficial; thoroughly skilled; sagacious; cunning.
Dip
(bodybuilding) A gymnastic or bodybuilding exercise on parallel bars in which the performer, resting on his hands, lets his arms bend and his body sink until his chin is level with the bars, and then raises himself by straightening his arms.
Deep
Low in pitch.
She has a very deep contralto voice.
Dip
(turpentine industry) The viscid exudation that is dipped out from incisions in the trees. Virgin dip is the runnings of the first year, yellow dip the runnings of subsequent years.
Deep
(of a color or flavour) Highly saturated; rich.
That's a very deep shade of blue.
The spices impart a deep flavour to the dish.
Dip
(aeronautics) A sudden drop followed by a climb, usually to avoid obstacles or as the result of getting into an airhole.
Deep
(sleep) Sound, heavy (describing a state of sleep from which one is not easily awoken).
He was in a deep sleep.
Dip
(uncountable) The moist form of snuff tobacco.
Deep
Muddy; boggy; sandy; said of roads.
Dip
The act of missing out on seeing a sought after bird.
Deep
(of time) Distant in the past, ancient.
Deep time
In the deep past
Dip
Fried bread.
Deep
Far, especially far down through something or into something, physically or figuratively.
The ogre lived in a cave deep underground.
We ventured deep into the forest.
His problems lie deep in the subconscious.
I am deep in debt.
Dip
A financial asset in decline, seen as an investment opportunity.
Buy the dips
Deep
(also deeply) In a profound, not superficial, manner.
I thought long and deep.
Dip
(informal) A foolish person.
Deep
(also deeply) In large volume.
Breathe deep, drink deep
Dip
(informal) A diplomat.
Deep
(sports) Back towards one's own goal, baseline, or similar.
He's normally a midfield player, but today he's playing deep.
Dip
(transitive) To lower into a liquid.
Dip your biscuit into your tea.
Deep
The deep part of a lake, sea, etc.
Creatures of the deep
Dip
(intransitive) To immerse oneself; to become plunged in a liquid; to sink.
Deep
(with "the") The sea, the ocean.
Dip
(intransitive) (of a value or rate) To decrease slightly.
Deep
A deep hole or pit, a water well; an abyss.
Dip
(transitive) To lower a light's beam.
Dip your lights as you meet an oncoming car.
Deep
A silent time; quiet isolation.
The deep of night
Dip
(transitive) To lower (a flag), particularly a national ensign, to a partially hoisted position in order to render or to return a salute. While lowered, the flag is said to be “at the dip.” A flag being carried on a staff may be dipped by leaning it forward at an approximate angle of 45 degrees.
The sailor rushed to the flag hoist to dip the flag in return.
Deep
(rare) A deep shade of colour.
Dip
(transitive) To treat cattle or sheep by immersion in chemical solution.
The farmer is going to dip the cattle today.
Deep
The profound part of a problem.
Dip
(transitive) To use a dip stick to check oil level in an engine.
Deep
(cricket) A fielding position near the boundary.
Russell is a safe pair of hands in the deep.
Dip
To consume snuff by placing a pinch behind the lip or under the tongue so that the active chemical constituents of the snuff may be absorbed into the system for their narcotic effect.
Deep
Extending far below the surface; of great perpendicular dimension (measured from the surface downward, and distinguished from high, which is measured upward); far to the bottom; having a certain depth; as, a deep sea.
The water where the brook is deep.
Dip
(transitive) To immerse for baptism.
Deep
Extending far back from the front or outer part; of great horizontal dimension (measured backward from the front or nearer part, mouth, etc.); as, a deep cave or recess or wound; a gallery ten seats deep; a company of soldiers six files deep.
Shadowing squadrons deep.
Safely in harborIs the king's ship in the deep nook.
Dip
(transitive) To wet, as if by immersing; to moisten.
Deep
Low in situation; lying far below the general surface; as, a deep valley.
Dip
(intransitive) To plunge or engage thoroughly in any affair.
Deep
Hard to penetrate or comprehend; profound; - opposed to shallow or superficial; intricate; mysterious; not obvious; obscure; as, a deep subject or plot.
Speculations high or deep.
A question deep almost as the mystery of life.
O Lord, . . . thy thoughts are very deep.
Dip
(transitive) To take out, by dipping a dipper, ladle, or other receptacle, into a fluid and removing a part; often with out.
To dip water from a boiler; to dip out water
Deep
Of penetrating or far-reaching intellect; not superficial; thoroughly skilled; sagacious; cunning.
Deep clerks she dumbs.
Dip
(intransitive) To perform the action of plunging a dipper, ladle. etc. into a liquid or soft substance and removing a part.
Deep
Profound; thorough; complete; unmixed; intense; heavy; heartfelt; as, deep distress; deep melancholy; deep horror.
An attitude of deep respect.
Dip
(transitive) To engage as a pledge; to mortgage.
Deep
Strongly colored; dark; intense; not light or thin; as, deep blue or crimson.
Dip
(transitive) To perform (a bow or curtsey) by inclining the body.
Deep
Of low tone; full-toned; not high or sharp; grave; heavy.
The bass of heaven's deep organ.
Dip
(intransitive) To incline downward from the plane of the horizon.
Strata of rock dip.
Deep
Muddy; boggy; sandy; - said of roads.
The ways in that vale were very deep.
Dip
To perform a dip dance move (often phrased with the leader as the subject noun and the follower as the subject noun being dipped)
Deep
To a great depth; with depth; far down; profoundly; deeply.
Deep-versed in books, and shallow in himself.
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring.
Dip
To lower the body by bending the knees while keeping the body in an upright position, as in movement to the rhythm of music.
Deep
That which is deep, especially deep water, as the sea or ocean; an abyss; a great depth.
Courage from the deeps of knowledge springs.
The hollow deep of hell resounded.
Blue Neptune storms, the bellowing deeps resound.
Dip
To leave.
He dipped out of the room so fast.
Deep
That which is profound, not easily fathomed, or incomprehensible; a moral or spiritual depth or abyss.
Thy judgments are a great deep.
The deep of night is crept upon our talk.
Dip
To miss out on seeing a sought after bird.
Deep
The central and most intense or profound part;
In the deep of night
In the deep of winter
Dip
To plunge or immerse; especially, to put for a moment into a liquid; to insert into a fluid and withdraw again.
The priest shall dip his finger in the blood.
[Wat'ry fowl] now dip their pinions in the briny deep.
While the prime swallow dips his wing.
Deep
A long steep-sided depression in the ocean floor
Dip
To immerse for baptism; to baptize by immersion.
Deep
Literary term for an ocean;
Denizens of the deep
Dip
To wet, as if by immersing; to moisten.
A cold shuddering dewDips me all o'er.
Deep
Relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply;
A deep breath
A deep sigh
Deep concentration
Deep emotion
A deep trance
In a deep sleep
Dip
To plunge or engage thoroughly in any affair.
He was . . . dipt in the rebellion of the Commons.
Deep
Marked by depth of thinking;
Deep thoughts
A deep allegory
Dip
To take out, by dipping a dipper, ladle, or other receptacle, into a fluid and removing a part; - often with out; as, to dip water from a boiler; to dip out water.
Deep
Having great spatial extension or penetration downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or laterally or outward from a center; sometimes used in combination;
A deep well
A deep dive
Deep water
A deep casserole
A deep gash
Deep massage
Deep pressure receptors in muscles
Deep shelves
A deep closet
Surrounded by a deep yard
Hit the ball to deep center field
In deep space
Waist-deep
Dip
To engage as a pledge; to mortgage.
Live on the use and never dip thy lands.
Deep
Very distant in time or space;
Deep in the past
Deep in enemy territory
Deep in the woods
A deep space probe
Dip
To immerse one's self; to become plunged in a liquid; to sink.
The sun's rim dips; the stars rush out.
Deep
Extreme;
In deep trouble
Deep happiness
Dip
To pierce; to penetrate; - followed by in or into.
When I dipt into the future.
Deep
Having or denoting a low vocal or instrumental range;
A deep voice
A bass voice is lower than a baritone voice
A bass clarinet
Dip
To enter slightly or cursorily; to engage one's self desultorily or by the way; to partake limitedly; - followed by in or into.
Deep
Strong; intense;
Deep purple
A rich red
Dip
To incline downward from the plane of the horizon; as, strata of rock dip.
Deep
Relatively thick from top to bottom;
Deep carpets
Deep snow
Dip
To dip snuff.
Deep
Extending relatively far inward;
A deep border
Dip
The action of dipping or plunging for a moment into a liquid.
Deep
(of darkness) very intense;
Thick night
Thick darkness
A face in deep shadow
Deep night
Dip
Inclination downward; direction below a horizontal line; slope; pitch.
Deep
Large in quantity or size;
Deep cuts in the budget
Dip
A hollow or depression in a surface, especially in the ground.
Deep
With head or back bent low;
A deep bow
Dip
A liquid, as a sauce or gravy, served at table with a ladle or spoon.
Deep
Of an obscure nature;
The new insurance policy is written without cryptic or mysterious terms
A deep dark secret
The inscrutible workings of Providence
In its mysterious past it encompasses all the dim origins of life
Rituals totally mystifying to visitors from other lands
Dip
A dipped candle.
Deep
Difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge;
The professor's lectures were so abstruse that students tended to avoid them
A deep metaphysical theory
Some recondite problem in historiography
Dip
A gymnastic exercise on the parallel bars in which the performer, resting on his hands, lets his arms bend and his body sink until his chin is level with the bars, and then raises himself by straightening his arms.
Deep
Exhibiting great cunning usually with secrecy;
Deep political machinations
A deep plot
Dip
In the turpentine industry, the viscid exudation, which is dipped out from incisions in the trees; as, virgin dip (the runnings of the first year), yellow dip (the runnings of subsequent years).
Deep
To a great depth;
Dived deeply
Dug deep
Dip
A sudden drop followed by a climb, usually to avoid obstacles or as the result of getting into an airhole.
Deep
To an advanced time;
Deep into the night
Talked late into the evening
Dip
A liquid, in which objects are soaked by dipping; e.g., a parasiticide or insecticide solution into which animals are dipped (see sheep-dip).
Deep
To far into space;
Penetrated deep into enemy territory
Went deep into the woods
Dip
A sauce into which foods are dipped to enhance the flavor; e. g., an onion dip made from sour cream and dried onions, into which potato chips are dipped.
Dip
A pickpocket.
Dip
A depression in an otherwise level surface;
There was a dip in the road
Dip
(physics) the angle that a magnetic needle makes with the plane of the horizon
Dip
A thief who steals from the pockets or purses of others in public places
Dip
Tasty mixture or liquid into which bite-sized foods are dipped
Dip
A brief immersion
Dip
A sudden sharp decrease in some quantity;
A drop of 57 points on the Dow Jones index
There was a drop in pressure in the pulmonary artery
A dip in prices
When that became known the price of their stock went into free fall
Dip
A candle that is made by repeated dipping in a pool of wax or tallow
Dip
A brief swim in water
Dip
A gymnastic exercise on the parallel bars in which the body is lowered and raised by bending and straightening the arms
Dip
Immerse briefly into a liquid so as to wet, coat, or saturate;
Dip the garment into the cleaning solution
Dip the brush into the paint
Dip
Dip into a liquid while eating;
She dunked the piece of bread in the sauce
Dip
Go down momentarily;
Prices dipped
Dip
Stain an object by immersing it in a liquid
Dip
Switch (a car's headlights) from a higher to a lower beam
Dip
Lower briefly;
She dipped her knee
Dip
Appear to move downward;
The sun dipped below the horizon
The setting sun sank below the tree line
Dip
Slope downwards;
Our property dips towards the river
Dip
Dip into a liquid;
He dipped into the pool
Dip
Of candles; by dipping the wick into hot, liquid wax
Dip
Immerse in a disinfectant solution;
Dip the sheep
Dip
Scoop up by plunging one's hand or a ladle below the surface;
Dip water out of a container
Common Curiosities
How is a dip different from a dive?
A dip involves a brief or slight downward movement, often superficial, while a dive is a deeper, more deliberate plunge into water or a subject.
What does it mean for something to be deep?
Being deep generally refers to extending far down from the surface or to the profoundness of thoughts, feelings, or knowledge.
Can "deep" refer to emotional states?
Yes, "deep" can describe profound or intense emotional states and complex thoughts.
How can "deep" be used in a conversation?
"Deep" can be used to describe serious, profound discussions or to compliment someone's insightful understanding of a topic.
Is a dip in performance always negative?
A dip can indicate a temporary decrease in performance, which might be negative but is often considered part of natural fluctuations.
What is a deep dive?
A deep dive is an extensive, thorough exploration or investigation into a subject or issue.
Can landscapes be deep?
Landscapes can contain deep features, like valleys or canyons, referring to their significant depth from the surface.
How is "deep" used in technology?
In technology, "deep" might refer to complex systems, like deep learning, which involves algorithms inspired by the human brain's structure and function.
Can someone's voice be deep?
Yes, a person's voice can be described as deep when it has a low, resonant quality.
What does taking a dip imply?
Taking a dip usually means immersing oneself briefly in water for enjoyment or refreshment.
What kind of activities involve a dip?
Activities like swimming, tasting, or experiencing minor setbacks can involve a dip.
What does it mean to dip one's toes into something?
It means to start something new or unfamiliar in a cautious or tentative manner.
What signifies a dip in economic terms?
In economic terms, a dip signifies a temporary or slight downturn in financial performance or market activity.
Is deepness measurable?
Deepness is quantifiable in physical contexts (like depth of water or a hole) and more subjective in discussions about emotions or knowledge.
Can food be deep?
While food itself isn't described as deep, flavors can be described as deep when they are rich, complex, or layered.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
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Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
