Profound
/prəˈfaʊnd/
Definitions
3 meaningsVery great or intense; having or showing great knowledge or insight.
/prəˈfaʊnd/
Having great depth or intensity.
The discovery had a profound impact on the scientific community.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're watching a movie that really makes you think, maybe about life or the universe. That movie has a profound effect on you – it's deep and makes you feel a lot of things. Or, if you are really sad when someone special to you goes away, your sadness is profound. It's deep and it's hard to ignore.
👶 For kids: When something is profound, it means it's really, really important and makes you think a lot.
More Examples
Her profound grief was evident in her tearful eyes.
The philosopher's profound insights changed the course of history.
How It's Used
"His philosophical arguments were profound and challenged many established ideas."
"She felt a profound sense of loss after the death of her grandmother."
Showing great knowledge or understanding.
/prəˈfaʊnd/
Requiring or demonstrating a great depth of understanding.
The professor's lecture offered a profound insight into the subject.
💡 Simply: When you really understand a complicated subject, like how a computer works, you could say you have a profound understanding of it. It means you know a lot and can see beyond the basics.
👶 For kids: When you understand something very well, like how to build a really cool Lego castle, you have a profound understanding.
More Examples
Her profound knowledge of history allowed her to write a detailed novel.
His profound research significantly changed the scientific field.
How It's Used
"The book's exploration of human nature was profound."
"He wrote a profound analysis of the political situation."
Of great depth or intensity.
/prəˈfaʊnd/
Of or denoting a very great depth.
The diver explored the profound depths of the underwater cave.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're in the ocean. The really deep parts are profound. It means the bottom is far, far away.
👶 For kids: When something is very, very deep, like the deep ocean, it is profound.
More Examples
The earthquake created a profound chasm in the earth's surface.
He stared into the profound darkness.
How It's Used
"The profound depths of the ocean."
Idioms & expressions
profound effect
A significant or deeply felt impact.
"The experience had a profound effect on her life."
profound changes
Significant or fundamental alterations.
"The new legislation brought about profound changes in the legal system."
From Latin *profundus* meaning 'deep, immense'. It entered English in the 14th century.
Historically, 'profound' has been used in religious and philosophical contexts to describe deep spiritual or intellectual states.
Memory tip
Think of something very deep, like a deep thought or a deep feeling.
Word Origin
"deep, immense"