abyss

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a very bad or scary situation that feels like falling into a hole.

n. a catastrophic or overwhelming situation that threatens to consume one's stability or sanity.

“After losing his job and his home, he felt he was staring into an abyss.”

“The country's economy teetered on the edge of an abyss as inflation reached levels not seen in decades.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal

n. a very large difference between two groups of people or two ideas.

n. a profound difference or wide separation between two entities, groups, or concepts.

“There is a growing abyss between the rich and the poor in the city.”

“The cultural abyss between the two generations made it difficult for them to reach a compromise on social policy.”

C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Science Technical

n. the deepest parts of the ocean where it is very cold and dark.

n. the regions of the ocean floor, typically deeper than 4,000 metres, where no light penetrates.

“Strange creatures with their own lights live in the deep abyss of the Atlantic.”

“Marine biologists utilised remote-operated vehicles to study the unique biodiversity found within the oceanic abyss.”