# abyssal

> English word · Adjective · IPA /əˈbɪs.l̩/ · frequency rank #59,842

## Definitions
1. Belonging to, or resembling, an abyss; unfathomable.
2. Of or belonging to the ocean depths, especially below 2000 metres (6500 ft): abyssal zone.
3. Pertaining to or occurring at excessive depths in the earth's crust; plutonic.
4. In the utter depths of despair; gloomy.

## Etymology
First attested in the 1690s. From Medieval Latin abyssalis, from Latin abyssus (“abyss”) + -alis (“-al”). Equivalent to abyss + -al.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/abyssal