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profound
/prəˈfaʊnd/
deeply meaningful or insightful
The philosopher's speech was so profound that it changed many people's perspectives.
The speech was deeply insightful and meaningful, altering people's views.
formal
Having deep meaning or significance; intellectually or emotionally deep
Her profound understanding of human nature made her a great counselor.
She had a deep and insightful understanding of people, which made her excellent at counseling.
The novel's profound themes resonated with readers worldwide.
The book's deep and meaningful themes connected with people around the world.
Often used to describe thoughts, ideas, or emotions that are deeply felt or intellectually significant.
Collocations
profound effecta deep and significant impactprofound silencea deep, meaningful silenceprofound wisdomdeep, insightful knowledge
Pro Tip
Usage in Formal Contexts
Use 'profound' to describe deep thoughts, emotions, or insights, especially in academic, philosophical, or literary discussions.
Gold Rule
Avoid Overuse
'Profound' is a strong word. Use it sparingly to maintain its impact.
Word Origin
From Old French 'profond,' from Latin 'profundus,' meaning 'deep, bottomless,' from 'pro-' (forward) + 'fundus' (bottom).
Usage Notes
Often used in formal or literary contexts to describe ideas, emotions, or experiences that are deeply felt or intellectually significant. Can also describe physical depth, but this is less common.
Word Breakdown
pro-
forward, in front of
prefix-fundus
bottom, depth
rootEnglish Dictionary