abyss

noun

ə-ˈbis How to pronounce abyss (audio)
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

Examples of abyss in a Sentence

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 The deep blacks that make the clean off-white interiors of the Spanish-style house and the icicle lights outside at night pop can also appear at times as if the characters are surrounded by the abyss. Stephen Saito, Variety, 12 Mar. 2024 The [small space] between you and the abyss is really just right there in front of your face all the time. Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Feb. 2024 And this is part of the whole looking into the abyss thing. Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 8 Feb. 2024 It’s got a zip pocket on the outside, which can help keep your phone and keys from getting lost in the big bag abyss, and a few slots on the inside for pens, jewelry, and other small items. Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 25 Feb. 2024 The pledges and rhetoric of Munich’s suits and limousines have so far amounted to little; in the wait, or abyss, ahead, Ukraine is losing people and land. Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 19 Feb. 2024 That began yet another comeback from the seeming abyss, with Walker’s layup with 3:23 to go and Hoggard’s two free throws with 1:48 left pulling MSU back with in a point. MSU held Illinois without a field goal for the final 5:29. Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press, 12 Jan. 2024 But the current abyss underlying the foundation of one’s reasonable expectations is huge. Ed Lotterman, Idaho Statesman, 24 Jan. 2024 Saban had turned another national stage into a disaster, a vast abyss of icy winds and hellacious fury. Tyler R. Tynes, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'abyss.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of abyss was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near abyss

Cite this Entry

“Abyss.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abyss. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

abyss

noun
: a gulf so deep or a space so great that it cannot be measured

More from Merriam-Webster on abyss

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