Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Extremely deep; extending far down or inward: Describing something that is situated at a great physical depth or is very intense in a non-physical sense.
   • Having deep intellectual or emotional depth; showing great insight or understanding: Describing thoughts, feelings, or works that are characterized by intensity, thoroughness, and penetration.
   • Complete; absolute; very great: Used to emphasize the extreme or thorough nature of a state or quality.

Usage

• Describing Physical or Abstract Depth:
  • The submarine dove to the profound depths of the ocean.
  • Her grief was profound and long-lasting.
• Describing Intellectual or Emotional Insight:
  • The philosopher's profound ideas changed the course of Western thought.
  • He felt a profound sense of gratitude.
• Emphasizing Completeness or Intensity:
  • After the long journey, she fell into a profound sleep.
  • There was a profound silence in the room after the announcement.

Advanced Usage

• "profound effect/influence/impact": A very great or fundamental effect.
  • The invention of the internet had a profound effect on global communication.
• "profound change/transformation": A thorough and radical change.
  • The country underwent profound political transformations.
• "profound knowledge/understanding": Deep and extensive knowledge.
  • Her book demonstrates a profound understanding of medieval history.

Variants and Related Words

• Profoundly (adverb): In a profound manner; deeply or extremely.
  • I am profoundly grateful for your help.
  • The theory is profoundly important.
• Profoundness (noun): The quality of being profound; depth.
  • The profoundness of his writing is widely admired.

Synonyms

• Deep: Extending far down or in; intense.
• Intense: Of extreme force, degree, or strength.
• Heartfelt: Sincerely and strongly felt.
• Abyssal: Pertaining to great depth, especially of the ocean.
• Thoroughgoing: Very thorough; complete.

Antonyms

• Superficial: Existing or occurring at or on the surface; lacking depth.
• Shallow: Of little depth; not showing serious thought.
• Slight: Small in degree; inconsiderable.
• Trivial: Of little value or importance.

Idioms and Phrases

• "A profound silence": An absolute or deep silence.
  • A profound silence fell over the crowd.
• "Profound regret": Deep and sincere regret.
  • He expressed his profound regret for the mistake.

Adjective

1. situated at or extending to great depth; too deep to have been sounded or plumbed
   • the profound depths of the sea
   • the dark unfathomed caves of ocean-Thomas Gray
   • unplumbed depths of the sea
   • remote and unsounded caverns
2. (of sleep) deep and complete
   • a heavy sleep
   • fell into a profound sleep
   • a sound sleeper
   • deep wakeless sleep
3. coming from deep within one
   • a profound sigh
4. far-reaching and thoroughgoing in effect especially on the nature of something
   • the fundamental revolution in human values that has occurred
   • the book underwent fundamental changes
   • committed the fundamental error of confusing spending with extravagance
   • profound social changes
5. of the greatest intensity; complete
   • a profound silence
   • a state of profound shock
6. showing intellectual penetration or emotional depth
   • the differences are profound
   • a profound insight
   • a profound book
   • a profound mind
   • profound contempt
   • profound regret