How to pronounce profound
Say it like proh-FOWND. Profound has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FOWND).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce profound. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- proh
- FOWND
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Profound pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- prohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- FOWNDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
American vs British pronunciation of profound
American and British speakers say profound in essentially the same way: /proʊˈfaʊnd/ in the US and /prəˈfaʊnd/ in the UK.
British respelling: pruh-FOWND.
What does profound mean?
- showing intellectual penetration or emotional depth“the differences are profound”“a profound insight”
- of the greatest intensity; complete“a profound silence”“a state of profound shock”
- far-reaching and thoroughgoing in effect especially on the nature of something“the fundamental revolution in human values that has occurred”“the book underwent fundamental changes”
Where does profound come from?
From Middle English profound, profounde, from Anglo-Norman profound, from Old French profont, profonde, from Latin profundus (“deep, profound”), from prō + fundus (“bottom; foundation”).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with profound
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of profound.
Questions about saying profound
How do you pronounce profound?
Say proh-FOWND. The American pronunciation is /proʊˈfaʊnd/. In British English it is /prəˈfaʊnd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in profound?
Profound has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FOWND). Broken into parts: proh · FOWND.
Do Americans and Brits say profound the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /proʊˈfaʊnd/ and the British form is /prəˈfaʊnd/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.