profound
profound — adjective
1. So strong, serious, or great that it changes a situation or affects someone deep
So strong, serious, or great that it changes a situation or affects someone deeply — used of feelings, effects, differences, and broad changes.
The new policy had a profound effect on the way hospitals manage their budgets.
profound effect on [noun phrase]
Losing his job caused Joao a profound sense of shame that lasted for months.
Tara felt a profound sense of relief when the doctor said the tests were clear.
The earthquake brought about profound changes in the way buildings were designed.
Yara described the experience as a profound shock that altered her view of the world.
- superficial
suggests only surface-level effect, the opposite of penetrating deeply
- slight
describes a very small degree of change or effect
文法句型
profound + noun
be + profound
用法筆記
Often used before nouns such as effect, impact, change, difference, and sense. Can also be used predicatively: The consequences were profound.
常見錯誤
2. Coming from deep, serious thought and showing a clear understanding of important
Coming from deep, serious thought and showing a clear understanding of important or complex subjects — used of writing, ideas, remarks, or people.
Hui gave a profound lecture on climate change that changed how many students thought about the issue.
profound lecture / speech / talk on [topic]
The professor offered a profound analysis of the link between poverty and poor health.
Lakan asked a profound question about the meaning of happiness that left the whole class silent.
Madison wrote a surprisingly profound essay on memory for a student of her age.
Wren made a single profound remark during the debate that summed up the entire argument.
- insightful
focuses on the ability to see into a subject clearly; slightly less formal
- perceptive
emphasises noticing details that others miss
- penetrating
suggests going straight to the core of an issue with sharpness
- shallow
indicates a lack of serious thought or depth
- superficial
dealing only with obvious or surface aspects
文法句型
profound + noun
be + profound
用法筆記
Describes writing, speech, or ideas that come from genuine intellectual depth. Does not describe physical depth. To describe someone as profound is a high compliment.
常見錯誤
3. Very difficult to understand because it involves deep or abstract ideas that req
Very difficult to understand because it involves deep or abstract ideas that require careful study or long reflection.
The book raises profound questions about time and whether the past still exists.
profound questions about [abstract topic]
In philosophy class, the students discussed profound issues such as free will and moral responsibility.
Aarav found the article too profound to understand without a guide to its main ideas.
The documentary explored profound mysteries of the human brain that scientists still struggle to explain.
Eitan spent the whole weekend trying to work through a single profound paragraph in the textbook.
- simple
easy to understand without much effort
- straightforward
clear and uncomplicated in structure or meaning
文法句型
profound + noun
too profound to + verb
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2: this sense describes the inherent difficulty of the subject matter, not the quality of someone's understanding of it. A question can be profound (hard to grasp) even if no one has answered it well.
常見錯誤
profound — noun
1. The deepest part of something — a physical place, state of being, or abstract id
The deepest part of something — a physical place, state of being, or abstract idea that seems to have no bottom or limit. Used in literary and poetic contexts.
The poem describes the profound of the ocean as a symbol of the hidden human mind.
the profound of [noun] — literary pattern
Adisa stared into the profound of the canyon, unable to see where the rocks ended.
In the silent church, she felt she was looking into the profound of her own soul.
The philosopher's writing explores the profound of human experience — joy and sorrow without limit.
- surface
the uppermost layer, opposite of depth
文法句型
the profound of + noun
用法筆記
Almost always preceded by the definite article. Restricted to formal, literary, or poetic contexts. In everyday speech, depth or deepest part are preferred.