deepity
/ˈdiːp.ɪ.ti/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A statement that sounds deep and impressive, but is vague, obvious, or not very meaningful. It often feels wise at first, but says little on closer look.
- That quote was pure deepity.
- The speech was full of deepities.
- It sounds deep, but it's just deepity.
Adinary Nuance
A deepity is not just a deep idea. It is a phrase that feels wise because it is vague, poetic, or dramatic. It is closer to a slogan or pseudo-philosophical line than a real insight. Writers use it when they want to criticize empty depth.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- câu nghe sâu sắc
- Spanish
- frase vacía
- Chinese
- 空洞深刻话
- Japanese
- 空虚な深い言葉
- Korean
- 허울뿐인 심오한 말
Etymology
The word was coined in the early 2000s by philosopher Daniel Dennett. It is formed from deep plus the playful noun ending -ity.
Common phrases
pure deepitya deepity-filled speechsounds like a deepity
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is deepity a positive word?
- Usually no. People use it to criticize a statement that sounds deep but is empty.
- What is the difference between deepity and deep?
- Deep means thoughtful or meaningful. Deepity only sounds deep, but lacks real content.
- Is deepity common in everyday English?
- No, it is fairly rare. It appears more in writing, discussion, and online commentary.