Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

knee-deep

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.26 in modern English

Syllables: knee-deep
IPA

15

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

2

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Reaching up to the knees.

adj

Submerged to the knees.

adj

Deeply involved (in something) or preoccupied (with something).

Example Sentences

"High above stood the ash-tree, its boughs covered with the toy-like bunches called "locks and keys;" and beyond spread the meadows, knee-deep with the verdant grass."
"This gave me a hint, and I went knee-deep, and sometimes neck-deep, in the Red Weed. The density of the weed gave me a reassuring sense of hiding."
"By the time Tracey arrived, Kayla was working on her second cup of café mocha and knee-deep in paperwork."
"When you're knee-deep in these insecure feelings, it can be hard to see clearly."

Etymology

From Middle English kne-depe; equivalent to knee + deep.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: kne-depe

Phrases

knee-deep in the Big Muddy hands-on

Frequently Paired Words

hands-on elbow-deep waist-deep neck-deep

Synonyms

elbow-deep up to one's elbows waist-deep neck-deep up to one's neck in the thick of it bogged down ankle-deep

Questions

What does knee-deep mean?: Reaching up to the knees.
Where does knee-deep come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce knee-deep

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