profundity: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, literary, academic
Quick answer
What does “profundity” mean?
The quality of showing great perception, intellectual depth, or seriousness.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The quality of showing great perception, intellectual depth, or seriousness; deep insight.
A statement or idea that is intellectually deep, or the quality of being very intense or extreme (e.g., of a feeling, silence, or colour).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning, spelling, or usage.
Connotations
Slightly more common in British literary and philosophical writing.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, primarily found in formal registers.
Grammar
How to Use “profundity” in a Sentence
the profundity of [abstract noun, e.g., insight, silence, despair]with profundityprofundity that [clause]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “profundity” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- No direct verb form. Use 'deepen', 'plumb the depths of', or 'probe'.
- One might 'profundify' a discussion (very rare, non-standard).
American English
- No direct verb form. Use 'deepen' or 'explore in depth'.
- The poet sought to profundify his theme (archaic/rare).
adverb
British English
- He spoke profoundly about the human condition.
- The landscape was profoundly beautiful.
American English
- She is profoundly grateful for their help.
- Their views differ profoundly.
adjective
British English
- His analysis was remarkably profound.
- She felt a profound sense of peace.
American English
- The book had a profound impact on me.
- We observed a profound silence.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Very rare. Might appear in high-level strategy discussions or philosophical leadership texts (e.g., 'The CEO spoke with unexpected profundity about sustainable values').
Academic
Common in humanities, especially philosophy, literary criticism, and theology, to describe the depth of an idea, text, or thinker.
Everyday
Rare. Used to comment on the deep meaning of a film, book, or conversation.
Technical
Not used in STEM fields in its core meaning. May appear in music/art criticism to describe emotional depth.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “profundity”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “profundity”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “profundity”
- Using it to describe physical depth (use 'depth' instead).
- Overusing in informal contexts where 'depth' or 'insight' would be more natural.
- Misspelling as 'profoundity'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, though less common. A 'profundity' refers to a specific deep or insightful statement (e.g., 'He uttered several profundities during the interview').
Both can mean intellectual/emotional deepness, but 'depth' is far more common, neutral, and can describe physical dimensions. 'Profundity' is more formal, literary, and almost exclusively abstract, often implying a laudable, weighty depth.
Typically yes, implying admirable depth. However, it can be used ironically or sceptically (e.g., 'His so-called profundity was just recycled clichés').
Using it in place of 'depth' for physical measurements (e.g., 'the profundity of the pool') is incorrect. It is also sometimes misspelled as 'profoundity'.
The quality of showing great perception, intellectual depth, or seriousness.
Profundity is usually formal, literary, academic in register.
Profundity: in British English it is pronounced /prəˈfʌndɪti/, and in American English it is pronounced /prəˈfʌndɪti/ or /proʊ-/ (less common). Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “plumb the depths/profundities of something (rare, literary)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'profound' + '-ity'. A 'profound' idea has great 'profundity'. Relate to a very deep (profound) ocean trench — that's depth/profundity.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTELLECTUAL/EMOTIONAL DEPTH IS PHYSICAL DEPTH (e.g., 'deep thoughts', 'plumb the depths', 'profound sadness').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'profundity' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?