Length vs. Depth: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Length refers to the measurement of something from end to end, while depth is the distance from the surface to the bottom of something.
Key Differences
Length measures the extent of something from one end to the other, usually in a straight line, such as the length of a room. Depth, on the other hand, refers to the vertical distance downwards, like the depth of a pool.
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Dec 03, 2023
In terms of usage, length is often used to describe objects like ropes or roads, emphasizing their horizontal dimension. Depth is used to describe the profundity of an object or concept, like the depth of a lake or depth of knowledge.
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Dec 03, 2023
Length is a linear measurement and can be measured in units like meters or feet. Depth, while also measurable in these units, often conveys a sense of profundity or intensity, as in the depth of feeling.
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Dec 03, 2023
When discussing geography or topography, length could refer to the distance between two points on a map, while depth might refer to the underwater topography, such as the depth of an ocean trench.
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Dec 03, 2023
In a metaphorical sense, length can represent duration or extent, such as the length of a speech. Conversely, depth might symbolize the complexity or intensity of a subject, like the depth of a philosophical argument.
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Dec 03, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Dimension
Horizontal or linear extension
Vertical or perpendicular extension
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In Topography
Distance between two points on a surface
Vertical extent below a surface
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Length and Depth Definitions
Length
The extent of something in time.
The length of the movie was two hours.
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Nov 27, 2023
Depth
The distance from the top or surface to the bottom.
The depth of the pool varies from 3 to 6 feet.
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Nov 27, 2023
Length
The state, quality, or fact of being long. See Usage Note at strength.
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Oct 19, 2023
Depth
Profundity or thoroughness.
The depth of her knowledge on the subject impressed everyone.
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Nov 27, 2023
Length
The measurement of the extent of something along its greatest dimension
The length of the boat.
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Oct 19, 2023
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Length
A piece, often of a standard size, that is normally measured along its greatest dimension
A length of cloth.
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Oct 19, 2023
Length
A measure used as a unit to estimate distances
Won the race by a length.
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Oct 19, 2023
Depth
The extent, measurement, or dimension downward, backward, or inward
Dove to a depth of 30 feet.
Shelves with enough depth to store the large boxes.
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Oct 19, 2023
Length
Extent or distance from beginning to end
The length of a novel.
The length of a journey.
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Oct 19, 2023
Depth
The measurement or sense of distance from an observation point, such as linear perspective in painting.
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Oct 19, 2023
Length
The amount of time between specified moments; the duration
The length of a meeting.
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Oct 19, 2023
Depth
Often depths A deep part or place
The ocean depths.
In the depths of the forest.
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Oct 19, 2023
Length
Often lengths Extent or degree to which an action or policy is carried
Went to great lengths to prove his point.
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Oct 19, 2023
Depth
The most profound or intense part or stage
The depth of despair.
An experience that touched the depths of tragedy.
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Oct 19, 2023
Depth
Intensity; force
Had not realized the depth of their feelings for one another.
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Oct 19, 2023
Length
The vertical extent of a garment. Often used in combination
Knee-length.
Floor-length.
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Oct 19, 2023
Depth
Intellectual complexity or penetration; profundity
A novel of great depth.
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Oct 19, 2023
Depth
The range of one's understanding or competence
I am out of my depth when it comes to cooking.
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Oct 19, 2023
Length
(horse racing) The length of a horse, used to indicate the distance between horses at the end of a race.
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Oct 19, 2023
Depth
Strength held in reserve, especially a supply of skilled or capable replacements
A team with depth at every position.
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Oct 19, 2023
Length
(cricket) The distance down the pitch that the ball bounces on its way to the batsman.
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Oct 19, 2023
Depth
Complete detail; thoroughness
The depth of her research.
An interview conducted in great depth.
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Oct 19, 2023
Length
Part of something that is long; a physical piece of something.
A length of rope
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Oct 19, 2023
Depth
The vertical distance below a surface; the degree to which something is deep
Measure the depth of the water in this part of the bay.
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Oct 19, 2023
Depth
The distance between the front and the back, as the depth of a drawer or closet
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Oct 19, 2023
Depth
(figuratively) the intensity, complexity, strength, seriousness or importance of an emotion, situation, etc.
The depth of her misery was apparent to everyone.
The depth of the crisis had been exaggerated.
We were impressed by the depth of her knowledge.
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Oct 19, 2023
Length
The longest, or longer, dimension of any object, in distinction from breadth or width; extent of anything from end to end; the longest line which can be drawn through a body, parallel to its sides; as, the length of a church, or of a ship; the length of a rope or line.
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Oct 19, 2023
Length
A portion of space or of time considered as measured by its length; - often in the plural.
Large lengths of seas and shores.
The future but a length behind the past.
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Oct 19, 2023
Depth
The property of appearing three-dimensional
The depth of field in this picture is amazing.
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Oct 19, 2023
Length
The quality or state of being long, in space or time; extent; duration; as, some sea birds are remarkable for the length of their wings; he was tired by the length of the sermon, and the length of his walk.
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Oct 19, 2023
Depth
The deepest part usually of a body of water
The burning ship finally sunk into the depths.
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Oct 19, 2023
Length
A single piece or subdivision of a series, or of a number of long pieces which may be connected together; as, a length of pipe; a length of fence.
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Oct 19, 2023
Depth
A very remote part.
Into the depths of the jungle...
In the depths of the night,
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Oct 19, 2023
Length
Detail or amplification; unfolding; continuance as, to pursue a subject to a great length.
May Heaven, great monarch, still augment your blissWith length of days, and every day like this.
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Oct 19, 2023
Depth
The most severe part
In the depth of the crisis
In the depths of winter
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Oct 19, 2023
Depth
(logic) the number of simple elements which an abstract conception or notion includes; the comprehension or content
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Oct 19, 2023
Length
The linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest horizontal dimension of something that is fixed in place;
The length of the table was 5 feet
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Oct 19, 2023
Depth
(aeronautics) the perpendicular distance from the chord to the farthest point of an arched surface
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Oct 19, 2023
Length
Continuance in time;
The ceremony was of short duration
He complained about the length of time required
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Oct 19, 2023
Depth
(statistics) the lower of the two ranks of a value in an ordered set of values
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Oct 19, 2023
Length
The property of being the extent of something from beginning to end;
The editor limited the length of my article to 500 words
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Oct 19, 2023
Depth
The quality of being deep; deepness; perpendicular measurement downward from the surface, or horizontal measurement backward from the front; as, the depth of a river; the depth of a body of troops.
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Oct 19, 2023
Length
Size of the gap between two places;
The distance from New York to Chicago
He determined the length of the shortest line segment joining the two points
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Oct 19, 2023
Depth
Profoundness; extent or degree of intensity; abundance; completeness; as, depth of knowledge, or color.
Mindful of that heavenly loveWhich knows no end in depth or height.
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Oct 19, 2023
Length
A section of something that is long and narrow;
A length of timber
A length of tubing
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Oct 19, 2023
Length
The measurement from one end to another.
The length of the bridge amazed everyone.
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Nov 27, 2023
Depth
That which is deep; a deep, or the deepest, part or place; the deep; the middle part; as, the depth of night, or of winter.
From you unclouded depth above.
The depth closed me round about.
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Oct 19, 2023
Length
A piece or stretch of something.
A length of rope was used to secure the boat.
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Nov 27, 2023
Depth
The number of simple elements which an abstract conception or notion includes; the comprehension or content.
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Oct 19, 2023
Length
The duration of an event.
The length of his speech was unexpectedly brief.
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Nov 27, 2023
Depth
The perpendicular distance from the chord to the farthest point of an arched surface.
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Oct 19, 2023
Depth
The maximum number of times a type of procedure is reiteratively called before the last call is exited; - of subroutines or procedures which are reentrant; - used of call stacks.
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Oct 19, 2023
Depth
Extent downward or backward or inward;
The depth of the water
Depth of a shelf
Depth of a closet
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Oct 19, 2023
Depth
(usually plural) the deepest and most remote part;
From the depths of darkest Africa
Signals received from the depths of space
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Oct 19, 2023
Depth
(usually plural) a low moral state;
He had sunk to the depths of addiction
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Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can length be used metaphorically?
Yes, to describe duration or extent in time.
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Dec 03, 2023
What does length measure?
It measures the horizontal or linear extent of an object.
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Dec 03, 2023
Does depth have metaphorical meanings?
Yes, it often refers to complexity or intensity.
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Dec 03, 2023
What is depth in physical terms?
It's the vertical distance from a surface to a bottom point.
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Dec 03, 2023
Is length always straight?
Typically, length is considered as a straight-line measure.
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Dec 03, 2023
Can depth refer to emotions?
Yes, it can describe the intensity or complexity of emotions.
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Dec 03, 2023
Is depth used in psychology?
Yes, to describe the profundity of thoughts or feelings.
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Dec 03, 2023
Can length affect the perception of a space?
Yes, longer spaces can appear more spacious or extended.
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Dec 03, 2023
Are length and depth interchangeable?
No, they refer to different dimensions and aspects.
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Dec 03, 2023
How is depth important in design?
Depth can add perspective and dimension in design.
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Dec 03, 2023
Can length signify progress?
Yes, it can indicate the extent of progress or development.
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Dec 03, 2023
How do you measure depth in water?
Depth in water is measured from the water's surface to its bottom.
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Dec 03, 2023
Can length be subjective?
Perception of length can be subjective, especially in art.
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Dec 03, 2023
Does depth contribute to the safety of pools?
Yes, knowing the depth is crucial for safety in swimming pools.
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Dec 03, 2023
Can depth be deceptive?
Yes, especially in water, depth can be misleading to the eye.
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Dec 03, 2023
Is length important in transportation?
Yes, the length of routes affects travel time and planning.
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Dec 03, 2023
Does depth vary in literature?
Yes, literary works can have varying depths of meaning.
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Dec 03, 2023
Is there a maximum length?
Length can be theoretically infinite, like the universe.
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Dec 03, 2023
What's the deepest part of the ocean called?
The Mariana Trench is the deepest known part.
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Dec 03, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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