noun

profundity

pruh-FUN-dih-tee/prəˈfʌndəti/

Great depth of thought, feeling, or meaning.

A grandmother speaks to her grandson about family with quiet profundity.

Older woman shares thoughtful family meaning with grandson.

Etymology

proLatinforth

+fundLatinbottom

+ityLatinstate or quality

The bottom-root and quality-forming ending make profundity a noun of depth. English first used it for the bottom of the sea, then for the depth of intellect, feeling, or spiritual mystery.

In context

MCC East Bay (Muslim Community Center)43:24

it's pseudo profundity is often perceived by young believers in college as just too deep and insightful for me to understand

Losing My Religion: How to Grapple with Postmodernism | Ustadh Dr. Ali Ataie (Improved Audio)

More examples

The profundity of his grief leaves him unable to speak.
This short poem has a profundity that rewards careful reading.
Her lectures mix gentle humor with unexpected profundities.

Forms

profundity · profundities

profound adjective — Showing great depth of thought or feeling.

Similar words

depth: A more everyday word for richness of thought or feeling.
insight: Emphasizes clear understanding rather than depth of feeling or meaning.