profound

[pruh-found, proh‐]

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.

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

Other Word Forms

• profoundly adverb
• profoundness noun
• unprofound 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

“There’s no stage at which profound public rejection isn’t in the offing,” he says, dryly.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The image of Ginsberg that vividly emerges is that of an angry, bushily bearded man, polemicizing about corporations and the Times’s malign influence, and often breaking out in spiritualist chanting, all to Hujar’s profound disinterest.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

How do we create an experience to be more profound?

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But it is the duo of Shannon and Macfadyen, portraying upright Americana and the American berserk, who are profound and unforgettable.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The International Criminal Court on Monday voiced "profound alarm and deepest concern" over the reports from El-Fasher, adding that such acts "may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity".

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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