French word

profond

Pronunciation

IPA/pʁofɔ̃/

Meaning

  • adjectivedeep

Example

La mer est profonde.

The sea is deep.

Illustration for profond (deep)

More examples

Fais une respiration profonde pour te calmer.

Take a deep breath to calm yourself.

Core concept

A deep layer beneath the visible surface represents a thought, feeling, or work with substantial intensity, complexity, and reach.

Common phrases

  • respiration profonde

    deep breath

  • silence profond

    profound silence

  • pensée profonde

    deep thought

Similar words

intense: Very strong in emotional force or impact.
sérieux: Sober and earnest rather than playful or casual.
grave: Serious and weighty, with consequences that cannot be easily dismissed.
réfléchi: Carefully considered rather than formed on impulse.

Definition in French

Qui, au sens figuré, qualifie une pensée, une œuvre ou un sentiment d'une grande intensité, d'une complexité ou d'une portée marquée.

Word origin

Latin profundus gave French profond its original sense of physical depth, and French later used the same adjective for abstract intellectual, emotional, and artistic qualities.

Usage tips

  • The feminine form is profonde and the plural forms are profonds and profondes, so the adjective must agree with the noun it describes.

Other meanings

  • profoundadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word