What does "profundity" mean?
The state of being profound; magnitude, gravity, or intensity.
Profundity
/pɹəˈfʌndɪti/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The state of being profound; magnitude, gravity, or intensity.
- Grammar: profundity is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: depth, abstruseness, abstruseness, abstrusity.
- Useful contrasts: shallowness, superficiality.
- Usage evidence: Spinoza saw, and I think with great profundity, that if a falling stone could reason, it would think, "I want to fall at the rate of thirty-two feet per second per second." Free will for us—that is, when we feel desire, when we are conscious of wanting to do what we do—may be even for us an illusion.
How to use "profundity"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "profundity" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "profundity" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "profundity" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "profundity" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "depth" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "profundity", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The state of being profound; magnitude, gravity, or intensity. countable, uncountable
"The situation's profundity escaped most observers."
- 2 intellectual depth, penetrating knowledge, keen insight, etc. wordnet
- 3 Deep intellect or insight. countable, uncountable
"Near-synonyms: brilliance, genius"
- 4 the quality of being physically deep wordnet
- 5 A great depth; a deep place. countable, uncommon, uncountable
"Near-synonym: abyss"
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 the intellectual ability to penetrate deeply into ideas wordnet
- 7 Depth; the state of possessing great downwards extent. archaic, countable, uncountable
"[A] sharp-looking old dame, […] inhabited a "laigh [low] shop," anglicé [in English], a cellar, opening to the High-street by a strait and steep stair, at the bottom of which she sold tape, thread, needles, skeans of worsted, coarse linen cloth, and such feminine gear, to those who had the courage and skill to descend to the profundity of her dwelling, without falling headlong themselves, or throwing down any of the numerous articles which, piled on each side of the descent, indicated the profession of the trader below."
- 8 wisdom that is recondite and abstruse and profound wordnet
Antonyms
Example
"Spinoza saw, and I think with great profundity, that if a falling stone could reason, it would think, "I want to fall at the rate of thirty-two feet per second per second." Free will for us—that is, when we feel desire, when we are conscious of wanting to do what we do—may be even for us an illusion."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "profundity"?
Common synonyms include: depth, abstruseness, abstruseness, abstrusity, abyss, acumen.
How do you use "profundity" in a sentence?
Spinoza saw, and I think with great profundity, that if a falling stone could reason, it would think, "I want to fall at the rate of thirty-two feet per second per second." Free will for us—that is, when we feel desire, when we are conscious of wanting to do what we do—may be even for us an illusion.
How do you pronounce "profundity"?
Pronounced /pɹəˈfʌndɪti/.
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English profundite, from Middle French profondite or its etymon Latin profunditās; by surface analysis, prof(o)und + ity. Compare profoundness.