Profound Meaning
/pɹəˈfaʊnd/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjDescending far below the surface; opening or reaching to great depth; deep.
adjVery deep; very serious.
Sentence Examples
Freud's insights into human behavior led to him being honored as a profound thinker.
I feel profound sympathy for the victims.
Profound changes in the earth’s climate
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The new research led to a ____ effect on the field of quantum physics.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The philosopher's work had a ____ influence on generations of thinkers who came after him.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English profound, profounde, from Anglo-Norman profound, from Old French profont, profonde, from Latin profundus (“deep, profound”), from prō + fundus (“bottom; foundation”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"A gulf profound as that Serbonian bog"
— 1667, John Milton, “(please specify the page number)”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
"Where no motives of interest or pride intervene, none can equal them for profound and philosophical views of society, …."
— 1819, Washington Irving, The Sketch Book, English Writers on America:
"The most superficial phenomena are sometimes the most profound. Let us begin our analysis of [bourgeois] society … with the appearance of the clothes its members wore …."
— 1975, Eric Hobsbawm, The Age of Capital. 1848-1875, published 1995, page 270:
"How now! which of your hips has the most profound sciatica?"
— c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):
"Of the profound corruption of this class there can be no doubt."
— 1860, Henry Hart Milman, History of Latin Christianity : including that of the popes to the pontificate of Nicholas V.:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The new research led to a ____ effect on the field of quantum physics.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The philosopher's work had a ____ influence on generations of thinkers who came after him.