adjective, pro·found·er, pro·found·est.
- 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.
noun Literary.
- something that is profound.
- the deep sea; ocean.
- depth; abyss.
adjective
- 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
noun
- archaic, or literary a great depth; abyss
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.