El 麦霸
Any diference between PROFOUND and DEEP? Is there any difference between these words? Are they always interchangeable?
Jun 19, 2015 4:23 PM
Answers · 7
3
Oh, yes. One is abstract and the other is physical. Profound He has profound knowledge on metaphysics. I didn't know it has such profound meaning behind it. Deep How deep is the water? It is 2 meter(s) deep. You have to dig real deep to find gold. However people use deep word for abstractic thing. How deep is your love? Deep inside your mind resides a monster. But nobody says how profound is the lake.
June 19, 2015
1
They are close synonyms. They are interchangeable in literal meaning, but not in feeling. "Deep" is a plain, common word. It is used in all sorts of ordinary situations. "Lake Superior is 400 meters deep." "I hit a deep pothole in the road and lost a hubcap." It can be used in an abstract way: "He was deep in thought," "In thermodynamics, entropy is a very deep concept." "Profound" is a more formal and elegant word. It combines the idea of "deep" with a feeling of awe or importance. It is stronger than "deep." "He collapsed and sobbed in profound grief." "Beethoven is a truly profound composer." It is possible but unusual to use "profound" simply to mean "deep." "the old volcanic rocks have been cut through by many profound ravines," "And under the sinister splendour of that sky the sea, blue and profound, remained still." "these frail vessels the Canadians brave the rapidity of the rivers and the profundity of the lakes."
June 19, 2015
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El 麦霸
Language Skills
Chinese (Mandarin), Chinese (Cantonese), English, German, Italian, Japanese, Kyrgyz, Russian
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Chinese (Mandarin), Chinese (Cantonese), English, German, Italian, Japanese