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

Considering the vital role high-skilled immigrants play in driving innovation, if other countries can capitalize on this moment and attract a larger share of high-skilled talent from around the world, the implications could be profound.

Read more on MarketWatch

Massive spending commitments tied to a new technology that promises profound economic change but has yet to deliver consistent profits.

Read more on Barron's

At a time of persistent economic uncertainty at home, this pageantry would amount to a profound political gift.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A four-star review from The FT summarised the play as "interweaving serious questions with crisply funny dialogue and combining the absurd with the profound".

Read more on BBC

“So many things that happen in my life don’t affect me in that same profound way,” she said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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