Abyss
/əˈbɪs/
nounB2
Definition
An abyss is a very deep and large space or hole that looks like it has no bottom. People often use it to talk about deep parts of the ocean or very deep holes in the earth. Also, it can describe a situation or feeling that seems endless, very bad, or very hard to escape.
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See It in Action
A very deep, dark hole or space, often natural like in the ocean or earth
- •The submarine explored the abyss at the bottom of the ocean.
- •The mountain climbers looked down into the abyss below the cliff.
- •Scientists study the abyss to learn about deep-sea creatures.
A situation or feeling that is very bad, endless, or difficult to escape
- •After losing his job, he felt like he was falling into an emotional abyss.
- •The country was in an abyss of poverty and despair.
- •She stared into the abyss of uncertainty about her future.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "abyss" like "hole" (A1 word), but MUCH deeper and bigger—so deep you cannot see the bottom
- ✓Picture standing at the edge of a dark, deep cave or looking down into a very deep ocean trench where no light reaches
- ✓It's the feeling when you are scared or lost in a very difficult problem that feels like it never ends
- ✓Sounds like "uh-BISS" → imagine a BIG black pit (like a "kiss" but very dark and deep)
- ✓In stories, heroes sometimes fall into an abyss, symbolizing a big challenge or danger they must overcome
- ✓NOT like "pit" (small and shallow), "abyss" is very large and deep, almost endless
- ✓NOT like "hole" (can be small or shallow), "abyss" is vast and bottomless
- ✓NOT like "valley" (open and wide but not very deep), "abyss" is mostly about great depth and darkness
Try Other Words
- •Chasm: a deep gap or opening in the earth (Use when the space is a wide crack or split)
- •Void: an empty space or feeling of emptiness (Use when emphasizing emptiness or nothingness)
- •Pit: a deep hole in the ground (Use when the hole is smaller or less threatening)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix; a single root word)
- •Etymology: From Latin "abyssus" and Greek "ábyssos" meaning "bottomless" or "without bottom"
- •Historical development: Originally used to describe the bottomless sea or ocean depths in ancient texts
- •Modern usage: Used both for literal very deep places and metaphorically for difficult or endless situations
- •Interesting fact: The word often appears in literature and poetry to describe deep emotional states or dangerous places
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when you felt like you were facing an "abyss" in your life? What helped you get through it?
•How does the idea of an abyss help writers create strong images or feelings in stories and poems?
Fill in the blanks
1.The diver went deeper and deeper until he reached the dark ___ of the ocean where no light could reach.
2.When someone feels overwhelmed by problems, they might say they are falling into an ___ of despair.
3.Unlike a small hole, an abyss is so deep that you cannot ___ the bottom.
4.The explorer carefully looked down into the ___, feeling both fear and curiosity.
5.People often use the word abyss to describe a situation that seems to have no ___ or end.
6.The mountain path ended at the edge of an abyss, so the hikers had to be very ___.
7.When the company lost all its money, it seemed like they were heading into an ___ from which they could not recover.