profound

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "profound" is correct and completely usable in written English.
You can use it as an adjective to describe a feeling or thing that is deep and meaningful, such as an emotion or insight. For example, "He shared a profound insight about the nature of life that everyone in the audience found thought-provoking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Each of the previous waves had come in response to a profound shift in the real economy.

The Economist

"I know part of Christian faith is forgiveness but another part of Christian faith is calling people to be their best selves... whether that justifies what has apparently been done is open to profound questions".

The Guardian

"It is clear that whatever Mr Novak experienced in Iraq had a profound effect on him," Folk said.

The Guardian

By this I mean profound ignorance of the formation of the brain in early years and the effects of neglect and trauma.

The Guardian

But at the same time, those recent warnings from the internet pioneer Vint Cerf about storage technologies becoming obsolete and the advent of a "digital dark age" highlight a profound fear: precious things are now only a corrupted hard drive or system upgrade away from being lost, for good.

The Guardian - Opinion

The simple eloquence of that vulnerable foot in its scuffed shoe reminds me of the profound eloquence of the cow's eye, the photograph with which Jane discovered her calling all those years ago as a student just out of the Wrens, alone and unsure of where life would take her.

The Guardian - Arts

It is a profound, complex letter, as brutal as it is tender, as Catholic as it is reformed, as conservative as it is radical.

The Guardian - Opinion

I also welcome the letter as a profound contribution by the church to the political life of our nation.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Snowden revelations halfway through the last parliament led to profound discussions about surveillance, privacy and the extent of any necessity to inspect or retain personal data.

The Guardian - Tech

"With the profound social, economic and moral crisis that Europe is in, we can see a similar process of disintegration".

The Guardian - Business

That suggests a profound dysfunction in the labour market, the education system or the benefits safety net – or all three.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "profound" to describe insights, emotions, or changes that are deeply felt and have a lasting impact. For example, "a profound sense of loss" or "a profound shift in perspective".

Common error

Avoid using "profound" when "deep" or "significant" would suffice. Overusing "profound" can make your writing sound pretentious. Reserve it for truly impactful or insightful situations.

Linguistic Context

The word "profound" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that is deep, significant, or intensely felt. Ludwig highlights its usage in various contexts, underscoring its role in adding depth and meaning to descriptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "profound" functions as an adjective to describe something deep, significant, or intensely felt. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct. It is frequently used in News & Media to add depth and meaning to descriptions. While synonyms like "deep" and "significant" exist, "profound" often conveys a greater level of insight or emotional impact. To avoid misuse, it's best reserved for contexts where genuine depth or significance is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deep

A more general term that can refer to physical or abstract depth, but lacks the intensity of "profound".

insightful

Highlights the quality of understanding and perception, often associated with wisdom or intelligence.

significant

Focuses on the importance or consequence of something, rather than its depth or insight.

far-reaching

Emphasizes the extent of influence or impact, rather than the inherent depth or understanding.

intense

Focuses on the strength or degree of feeling, experience, or effect.

fundamental

Refers to the basic or essential nature of something, implying importance and depth of understanding.

acute

Highlights the intensity and sharpness of something, often referring to a sudden or severe experience.

serious

Emphasizes the gravity or importance of something, but lacks the nuance of depth.

thorough

Implies completeness and attention to detail, reflecting a depth of understanding or investigation.

radical

Emphasizes the fundamental or transformative nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "profound" in a sentence?

"Profound" is typically used as an adjective to describe something that is deep, meaningful, or significant. For example, "The speaker shared a "profound insight" that resonated with the audience."

What are some synonyms for "profound"?

Synonyms for "profound" include "deep", "significant", "insightful", and "fundamental". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "profound" to describe a person?

Yes, you can use "profound" to describe a person's understanding or wisdom. For example, "She is known for her "profound understanding" of human nature."

What's the difference between "profound" and "deep"?

While both words suggest something goes beyond the surface, "profound" often implies a greater level of insight, significance, or emotional impact than "deep". A "deep well" is physically deep, but a "profound" statement is deeply meaningful.