profound

[ pruh-found, proh‐ ]

adjective

, pro·found·er, pro·found·est.

1. penetrating or entering deeply into subjects of thought or knowledge; having deep insight or understanding:

   a profound thinker.

   Synonyms: sagacious, deep

   Antonyms: superficial, shallow

2. originating in or penetrating to the depths of one's being: profound grief.
3. being or going far beneath what is superficial, external, or obvious:

   profound insight.

4. of deep meaning; of great and broadly inclusive significance:

   a profound book.

5. pervasive or intense; thorough; complete:

   a profound silence.

6. extending, situated, or originating far down, or far beneath the surface:

   the profound depths of the ocean.

7. bending or passing far downward; low:

   a profound bow.

noun

, Literary.

1. something that is profound.
2. the deep sea; ocean.
3. depth; abyss.

profound

/ prəˈfʌndɪtɪ; prəˈfaʊnd /

adjective

1. penetrating deeply into subjects or ideas

   a profound mind

2. showing or requiring great knowledge or understanding

   a profound treatise

3. situated at or extending to a great depth
4. reaching to or stemming from the depths of one's nature

   profound regret

5. intense or absolute

   profound silence

6. thoroughgoing; extensive

   profound changes

noun

1. archaic.
   a great depth; abyss

Derived Forms

• proˈfoundly, adverb
• proˈfoundness, noun

Other Words From

• pro·found·ly adverb
• pro·found·ness noun
• un·pro·found adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of profound¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin profundus “deep, vast,” equivalent to pro- pro- ¹ + fundus “bottom” ( found ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of profound¹

C14: from Old French profund, from Latin profundus deep, from pro- ¹+ fundus bottom

Example Sentences

Albin’s epiphany in “I Am What I Am” is simple yet profound: He wants neither praise nor pity, but only to be seen as his “own special creation.”

From Los Angeles Times

Our clothes hold us, shaping our experience and understanding of life in ways both subtle and profound.

From Los Angeles Times

PST Art exhibition explores aerospace’s profound impact on Southern California artists and the extraterrestrial inspirations for their work.

From Los Angeles Times

It appeared to be a betrayal of the body as profound as the one unfolding on the nation’s political stage.

From Salon

Australian lawmakers have voted to censure an Aboriginal senator who heckled King Charles during his visit to Canberra last month, to express their "profound disapproval" of her protest.

From BBC

Related Words

• abject
• absolute
• acute
• deep
• deep-seated
• extensive
• extreme
• far-reaching
• great
• heartfelt
• sincere
• thorough
• utter