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” ( see found ¹)

Explanation

When you need a word that's deeper than "deep," consider profound. A philosopher is likely to make many profound pronouncements. Profundus literally means "deep" in Latin, and profound had the same meaning when it entered English in the 14th century. But even then, it also meant "figuratively deep" — that is, very great or intense: "The new laws have had a profound impact." Of people, it means "very knowledgeable or insightful," but sometimes when a person tries to sound profound, they're really just giving you superficial knowledge dressed up with big words.

Example Sentences

“The Devil Wears Prada” taught me to appreciate film in a profound, scholarly way that would later become my life’s driving force.

From Salon • May 1, 2026

"Smell has a really profound and pervasive effect on human health, so restoring it is not just for pleasure and safety but also for psychological well-being," Datta said.

From Science Daily • Apr. 30, 2026

“The ruling demonstrates a profound misunderstanding and misapplication of the law applied to habeas corpus petitions,” said Hannah Brown, deputy director of the Los Angeles Innocence Project.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

Our findings suggest a profound, often overlooked, truth: Business may be more important than government in transforming the human condition.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 25, 2026

I list everything I can come up with, but none of it is surprising or profound.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

Related Words

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