profoundly
UK: /prəˈfaʊndli/ | US: /prəˈfaʊndli/
adv. to a deep or intense degree
adv. in a way that shows great knowledge or insight
The word "profoundly" derives from the adjective "profound," which entered Middle English from Old French profond, itself from Latin profundus ("deep," literally "before the bottom"). The Latin combines pro- ("forward, before") and fundus ("bottom"). The suffix -ly is an Old English adverbial marker, turning adjectives into adverbs. Over time, "profound" evolved from physical depth (e.g., "a profound pit") to metaphorical depth (e.g., "profound thought"), and -ly extended this meaning to describe actions or states.
The speaker’s words affected the audience profoundly.
She was profoundly grateful for their support.
His research contributed profoundly to modern physics.
The artist was profoundly inspired by nature.
The discovery changed science profoundly.