profound

American  

[pruh-found, proh‐] / prəˈfaʊnd, proʊ‐ /

adjective

profounder, profoundest

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.

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noun

Literary.

1. something that is profound.

2. the deep sea; ocean.

3. depth; abyss.

profound British  

/ 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

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noun

1. archaic a great depth; abyss

Other Word Forms

• profoundly adverb
• profoundness noun
• unprofound adjective

Etymology

Origin of profound

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

Example Sentences

“This lawsuit is born of a profound and unforgivable injustice,” his attorney Daniel Watkins said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

"It's an immense sense of sadness that we couldn't do anything to help Caitlin as her injuries were so profound, but that unfortunately is the reality of the job."

From BBC

The most profound pleasure of the week was time spent with the dozen other women who had given themselves the gift of a week’s immersion in beauty and creativity.

From The Wall Street Journal

He moved to Riyadh in 2017 to cover the rise of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the profound social, economic and political shifts underway in the kingdom.

From The Wall Street Journal

The economists warned that firms that invested in AI with the aim of cutting jobs did indeed end up doing so, suggesting there could be profound effects on jobs as the technology matures.

From Barron's

Related Words

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