profound

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Very great, deep, strong, or far-reaching in effect, meaning, or feeling.

   Grammar: Before nouns and after linking verbs: a profound effect; be profound; compare more profound.

   Patterns

   • profound effect
   • profound change
   • profound impact

   The drought had a profound effect on farming families.

   She felt profound relief when the results arrived.

   The invention brought profound change to daily life.

2. 2adjectivecomparable

   Showing deep understanding, serious thought, or insight.

   Grammar: Often describes remarks, ideas, books, or people: a profound insight; a profound thinker.

   Patterns

   • profound insight
   • profound question
   • profound thinker

   The novel asks profound questions about freedom.

   Her apology was simple but profound.

   He is a profound thinker, not a fast talker.

Word forms

Common combinations

profound effect

Music can have a profound effect on mood.

profound change

The internet caused profound change in schools.

profound insight

The essay offers a profound insight into fear.

profound sadness

News of the loss brought profound sadness.

Synonyms and how they differ

deep

Deep is the everyday word; profound is stronger and often more formal or serious.

significant

Significant means important or noticeable, but lacks the depth and emotional weight of profound.

far-reaching

Far-reaching stresses wide effects over time, while profound stresses depth and intensity.

Opposites

Word family

profoundly adverb

In a very deep or strong way.

profundity noun

Great depth of meaning, thought, or effect.

Commonly confused: profound or profuse?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “profound”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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