profound

/pɹəˈfaʊnd/

Group 23Difficulty 1/3

Definition

(adjective)
Very great or intense; showing great knowledge or insight; very deep
GRE

Example in Context

The discovery had profound implications for the field, overturning assumptions that had guided research for half a century.

Synonyms

deepintensemeaningful

Etymology

Something that reaches deep down to the very bottom of understanding.

  • pro- (Latin) — for
  • fundus (Latin) — bottom

Memory Aid

🔍Sounds like “pro found

When you’re PROFOUND, you’ve FOUND the secrets of the universe hidden at the BOTTOM!

Visual Association

🌌A wise old owl perched on a tree branch, pondering the mysteries of the universe under a starry sky.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “profound” mean on the GRE?

profound (adjective) means “Very great or intense; showing great knowledge or insight; very deep”. The discovery had profound implications for the field, overturning assumptions that had guided research for half a century.

How to remember “profound” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “profound” sounds like “pro found”. When you’re PROFOUND, you’ve FOUND the secrets of the universe hidden at the BOTTOM!

What are synonyms for “profound”?

Common synonyms: deep, intense, meaningful.