profound
C1Formal, literary, academic
Definition
Meaning
Describing something that is very great in intensity, depth, or degree; having or showing deep insight or understanding.
Extending far below the surface; situated at a great depth; coming from the depths of one's being; difficult to understand or fathom; requiring deep study or thought.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as an attributive adjective. While it describes physical depth, its dominant modern use is abstract, relating to intensity of feeling, thought, or effect.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is virtually identical. Minor orthographic differences may appear in related words (e.g., 'profundity' vs. 'profoundness', with the former being more common in both).
Connotations
Equally formal and intellectual in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in written academic contexts in both UK and US English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[profound + N (abstract)][profound + sense of + N][have/make a profound + effect/impact/change]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “profoundly deaf”
- “a profound silence fell”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe significant market shifts or strategic impacts (e.g., 'The new regulation had a profound effect on the industry.').
Academic
Common in humanities and social sciences to describe deep analysis, significant theories, or far-reaching consequences (e.g., 'Her work offers a profound critique of modern society.').
Everyday
Used to express strong emotions or significant personal experiences (e.g., 'I felt a profound sense of loss.'). Less frequent in casual chat.
Technical
In medicine/biology: 'profound hearing loss'; in oceanography/physics: 'profound depths'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Archaic/rare) 'To profound' is not in modern use.
American English
- (Archaic/rare) 'To profound' is not in modern use.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard as an adverb; use 'profoundly') The statement was profoundly moving.
- He is profoundly deaf.
American English
- (Not standard as an adverb; use 'profoundly') She was profoundly affected by the news.
- The theory is profoundly influential.
adjective
British English
- The documentary had a profound effect on public opinion.
- She felt a profound connection to the landscape.
- His research addresses questions of profound importance.
American English
- The policy will have a profound impact on healthcare.
- I have profound respect for her work.
- He is known for his profound insights into human behavior.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The film had a profound message about friendship.
- He felt profound happiness when he saw his family.
- The invention of the internet brought about profound social changes.
- Her speech expressed a profound sense of gratitude towards her mentors.
- The philosopher's later writings reveal a profound scepticism towards technological progress.
- The treaty's most profound implications may not be apparent for decades.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a FOUNDation that goes PRO (very) deep into the ground → PRO-FOUND → very deep.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTELLECTUAL/EMOTIONAL DEPTH IS PHYSICAL DEPTH (e.g., profound thought, profound sorrow). IMPORTANCE/SIGNIFICANCE IS DEPTH.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation to 'глубокий' for simple physical depth (e.g., 'a deep hole' is not 'a profound hole').
- Russian 'профи' (profi, 'professional') is a false cognate; no relation.
- Do not overuse 'profound' for everyday 'strong' feelings; it sounds exaggerated.
Common Mistakes
- Using it for moderate degrees (*a profound mistake).
- Using it predicatively where it sounds unnatural (*His effect was profound on me). Better: 'He had a profound effect on me.'
- Confusing with 'prolific' or 'profoundly' as a standalone response.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'profound' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it typically describes their mind, thoughts, or insights (e.g., 'a profound thinker'), not their physical appearance. Describing a person simply as 'profound' is formal and emphasizes their intellectual depth.
'Deep' is more general and common, covering both physical and abstract depth. 'Profound' is more formal, literary, and intense, and is used almost exclusively for abstract, intellectual, or emotional depth (e.g., profound sadness, profound idea). You wouldn't call a swimming pool 'profound'.
Yes, 'profoundly' is the standard and correct adverb. 'Profound' itself is not used as an adverb in modern English.
Yes, it can describe intense negative states or consequences (e.g., profound grief, profound shock, profound disruption). The word indicates depth or intensity, which can be positive, negative, or neutral.