abyss
noun
ə-ˈbis 
a-,
also ˈa-(ˌ)bis
1
a
: an immeasurably deep gulf or great space
gazed down into the gaping abyss
the ocean's abysses
(figurative) a widening abyss between the rich and the poor
b
: intellectual or moral depths
an abyss of moral depravity
an abyss of despair
2
: the bottomless gulf, pit, or chaos of the old cosmogonies
Synonyms
- abysm
- chasm
- deep
- gulf
- ocean
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
looking down at the dark ocean from the ship's rail, the cruise passenger felt as though he was staring into an abyss
Recent Examples on the Web Something shocking is happening in the abyss around Guadalupe Island. 
al, 23 July 2022 Where together, a group of coaches in the remote abyss, made a miracle happen. Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune, 5 July 2022 Unfortunately, when the dark dog comes calling, common sense and understanding tend to get lost in the abyss. Davey Winder, Forbes, 8 June 2022 If you're known to lose your items in the abyss of your purse, opt for this bag from Dagne Dover. Rebecca Carhart, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2022 The 75-minute vignette unfolds in real time, in an apartment positioned in the venue like an island, floating in an abyss. Ashley Lee Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2022 From the golf club choreography to the CGI reflection of sadboi Troy gazing into the Lava Springs Country Club abyss, this delightful cheeseball of a number from arguably the cheesiest installment in the entire franchise is pure gold. Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2022 The courage to acknowledge the abyss is rare, necessary and potentially motivating. Samuel Johnston, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 It’s like an abyss opening and then quickly closing. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2022 See More
al, 23 July 2022 Where together, a group of coaches in the remote abyss, made a miracle happen. Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune, 5 July 2022 Unfortunately, when the dark dog comes calling, common sense and understanding tend to get lost in the abyss. Davey Winder, Forbes, 8 June 2022 If you're known to lose your items in the abyss of your purse, opt for this bag from Dagne Dover. Rebecca Carhart, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2022 The 75-minute vignette unfolds in real time, in an apartment positioned in the venue like an island, floating in an abyss. Ashley Lee Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2022 From the golf club choreography to the CGI reflection of sadboi Troy gazing into the Lava Springs Country Club abyss, this delightful cheeseball of a number from arguably the cheesiest installment in the entire franchise is pure gold. Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2022 The courage to acknowledge the abyss is rare, necessary and potentially motivating. Samuel Johnston, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 It’s like an abyss opening and then quickly closing. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Late Latin abyssus, borrowed from Greek ábyssos "bottomless, unfathomable, (as noun) bottomless gulf," from a- a- entry 2 + byssós "depth of the sea," probably going back to *byth-yos, derivative of bythós "depth, deepest part, bottom," probably of pre-Greek substratal origin
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Kids Definition
abyss
noun
ə-ˈbis
: a gulf so deep or space so great that it cannot be measured
abyss
noun
as in ocean
an immeasurable depth or space looking down at the dark ocean from the ship's rail, the cruise passenger felt as though he was staring into an abyss Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- ocean
- chasm
- deep
- gulf
- expanse
- abysm
- fissure
- cavern
- pit
- crevice
- hole
- void
- emptiness
- crevasse
- cleft
- hollow
- nothingness
- reach
- vacuum
- breadth
- extent
- stretch
- vacancy
- black hole
- vacuity
- spread