Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
Synonyms
Nearby Entries
Definition of profound - 7 dictionary results

pro⋅found

  [pruh-found] adjective, -er, -est, noun
Use profound in a Sentence
–adjective
1. penetrating or entering deeply into subjects of thought or knowledge; having deep insight or understanding: a profound thinker.
2. originating in or penetrating to the depths of one's being; profound grief.
3. being or going far beneath what is superficial, external, or obvious: profound insight.
4. of deep meaning; of great and broadly inclusive significance: a profound book.
5. pervasive or intense; thorough; complete: a profound silence.
6. extending, situated, or originating far down, or far beneath the surface: the profound depths of the ocean.
7. low: a profound bow.
8. deep.
–noun Literary.
9. something that is profound.
10. the deep sea; ocean.
11. depth; abyss.
Origin:
1275–1325; ME < AF < L profundus deep, vast, equiv. to pro- pro- 1 + fundus bottom (see found 2 )

Related forms:
pro⋅found⋅ly, adverb
pro⋅found⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. deep, sagacious.

Antonyms:
1. shallow, superficial.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To profound
pro·found   (prə-found', prō-)   
adj.   pro·found·er, pro·found·est
  1. Situated at, extending to, or coming from a great depth; deep.
  2. Coming as if from the depths of one's being: profound contempt.
  3. Thoroughgoing; far-reaching: profound social changes.
  4. Penetrating beyond what is superficial or obvious: a profound insight.
  5. Unqualified; absolute: a profound silence.

[Middle English profounde, from Old French profond, from Latin profundus : prō-, before; see pro-1 + fundus, bottom.]
pro·found'ly adv., pro·found'ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Profound

Pro*found"\, a. [F. profond, L. profundus; pro before, forward + fundus the bottom. See Found to establish, Bottom lowest part.]

1. Descending far below the surface; opening or reaching to a great depth; deep. "A gulf profound." --Milton.

2. Intellectually deep; entering far into subjects; reaching to the bottom of a matter, or of a branch of learning; thorough; as, a profound investigation or treatise; a profound scholar; profound wisdom.

3. Characterized by intensity; deeply felt; pervading; overmastering; far-reaching; strongly impressed; as, a profound sleep. "Profound sciatica." --Shak.

Of the profound corruption of this class there can be no doubt. --Milman.

4. Bending low, exhibiting or expressing deep humility; lowly; submissive; as, a profound bow.

What humble gestures! What profound reverence! --Duppa.

Profound

Pro*found"\, n. 1. The deep; the sea; the ocean.

God in the fathomless profound Hath all this choice commanders drowned. --Sandys.

2. An abyss. --Milton.

Profound

Pro*found"\, v. t. To cause to sink deeply; to cause to dive or penetrate far down. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.

Profound

Pro*found"\, v. i. To dive deeply; to penetrate. [Obs.]
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source
Language Translation for : profound
Spanish: profundo,
German: tief,
Japanese: 深い
More Translations »

profound 
c.1305, "characterized by intellectual depth," from O.Fr. profund (c.1175), from L. profundus "deep, bottomless, vast," also "obscure, profound," from pro- "forth" + fundus "bottom" (see fund (n.)). The lit. and fig. senses both were in L., but Eng., already having deep, primarily employed this word in its fig. sense.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see profound on Thesaurus | Reference