Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1200-1300
Language: Old French
Origin: profond 'deep', from Latin profundus, from fundus 'bottom'

profound

 adjective
     
pro‧found
1 having a strong influence or effect
profound effect/influence/impact/consequence etc
Tolstoy's experiences of war had a profound effect on his work.
The mother's behaviour has a profound impact on the developing child.
profound changes in society
2 showing strong, serious feelings [= deep]:
3 showing great knowledge and understanding [= deep]:
a profound question
Jenner is a profound thinker.
4 literaryMP deep or far below the surface of something [= deep]:
Her work touches something profound in the human psyche.
5 complete:
profound deafness
—profoundly adverb:
profoundly disturbing news
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

Dictionary pictures of the day
Do you know what each of these is called?
What is the word for picture 1? What is the word for picture 2? What is the word for picture 3? What is the word for picture 4?
Click on any of the pictures above to find out what it is called.

Explore our topic dictionary

Browse the dictionary