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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Some vociferously insist that nobody of their right mind would ever fall into the AI psychosis abyss. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025 As a result, his vocals have a kind of stately yet starry-eyed quality, giving structure to these deformed, cosmic beats from the internet abyss. Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 3 Sep. 2025 The Panthers want to climb out of the NFL abyss in 2025. Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2025 Inside China, however, the country often seems to be not taking over the world so much as sinking into an autocratic abyss. Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abyss

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Abyss.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abyss. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

abyss

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

More from Merriam-Webster on abyss

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!