profound
[pruh-found]
- penetrating or entering deeply into subjects of thought or knowledge; having deep insight or understanding: a profound thinker.
- originating in or penetrating to the depths of one's being; profound grief.
- being or going far beneath what is superficial, external, or obvious: profound insight.
- of deep meaning; of great and broadly inclusive significance: a profound book.
- pervasive or intense; thorough; complete: a profound silence.
- extending, situated, or originating far down, or far beneath the surface: the profound depths of the ocean.
- low: a profound bow.
Show More
- something that is profound.
- the deep sea; ocean.
- depth; abyss.
Show More
Origin of profound
Synonyms
See more synonyms for profound on Thesaurus.com1. deep, sagacious.
Antonyms
1. shallow, superficial.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for profoundly
Contemporary Examples
Binding the resolution of my case to progress in the nuclear negotiations is profoundly unjust.
Only now, when we were able to talk frankly and at length, did I come to realize how profoundly it had affected him.
They profoundly question whether these programs will be available to them when they become eligible.
The Republican base is profoundly larger than it was in 1964.
New York is profoundly weak in engineering talent (PDF)—ranking 78th out of 85 metropolitan areas in engineers per capita.
Historical Examples
Wilson's voice showed that he was more than incredulous; he was profoundly moved.
KMary Roberts Rinehart
The attitude in which he rested his menaced eyes was profoundly meditative.
The Secret AgentJoseph Conrad
I was not profoundly convinced that this was a safe risk for me to take.
Southern Lights and ShadowsVarious
The building was profoundly dark, and none were moving near it save themselves.
Barnaby RudgeCharles Dickens
Never before had she felt so profoundly the puissance of her sex.
profound
- penetrating deeply into subjects or ideasa profound mind
- showing or requiring great knowledge or understandinga profound treatise
- situated at or extending to a great depth
- reaching to or stemming from the depths of one's natureprofound regret
- intense or absoluteprofound silence
- thoroughgoing; extensiveprofound changes
Show More
- archaic, or literary a great depth; abyss
Show More
Word Origin
C14: from Old French profund, from Latin profundus deep, from pro- 1 + fundus bottom
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for profoundly
profound
adj.
c.1300, "characterized by intellectual depth," from Old French profund (12c., Modern French profond), from Latin profundus "deep, bottomless, vast," also "obscure; profound; immoderate," from pro- "forth" (see pro-) + fundus "bottom" (see fund (n.)). The literal and figurative senses both were in Latin, but English, having already deep, employed this word primarily in its figurative sense. Related: Profoundly.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper