profundity

noun

pro·​fun·​di·​ty prə-ˈfən-də-tē 

plural profundities

1

a

: intellectual depth

b

: something profound or abstruse

2

: the quality or state of being profound or deep

Synonyms

• deepness
• depth
• profoundness

Examples of profundity in a Sentence

the profundity of his thoughts

Her books are a mixture of playfulness and profundity.

the depth and profundity of her feelings

Recent Examples on the Web

Johnson earned his grand debut in a promo last month that teased Dylan as a new staffer who’s incapable of writing good material for host John Mulaney, which was followed by an actual sketch on December 7 of the musician spewing profundities on the red carpet for A Complete Unknown. —Devon Ivie, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024

Whatever profundity the original had has been emptied out, and the new material is particularly enervating. —Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 14 June 2024

Previously taut performances unravel as a result of this extension, and the story meanders to a conclusion weighted with false profundity. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019

Nobody’s logging on expecting profundity, hilarity, or sincerity. —Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English profundite, from Latin profunditat-, profunditas depth, from profundus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

profundity

noun

pro·​fun·​di·​ty prə-ˈfən-dət-ē 

plural profundities

1

: great knowledge or understanding

2

: something profound