profile

[ proh-fahyl ]

/ ˈproʊ faɪl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR profile ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the outline or contour of the human face, especially the face viewed from one side.

a picture or representation of the side view of a head.

an outlined view, as of a city or mountain.

an outline of an object, as a molding, formed on a vertical plane passed through the object at right angles to one of its principal horizontal dimensions.

a drawing or the like representing this.

Surveying. a vertical section of the ground surface taken parallel to a survey line.Compare cross section(def 6).

a verbal, arithmetical, or graphic summary or analysis of the history, status, etc., of a process, activity, relationship, or set of characteristics: a biochemical profile of a patient's blood; a profile of national consumer spending.

an informal biography or a concisely presented sketch of the life and character of a person.

Digital Technology. the personal details, images, user statistics, social media timeline, etc., that an individual creates and associates with a username or online account.

a set of characteristics or qualities that identify a type or category of person or thing: a profile of a typical allergy sufferer.

the look, configuration, or lines of something: cars with a modern profile.

degree of noticeability; visibility.

Psychology. a description of behavioral and personality traits of a person compared with accepted norms or standards.

Theater. a flat stage property or scenic piece cut from a firm, thin material, as of beaverboard or plywood, and having an irregular edge resembling the silhouette of a natural object.

(in a gear) the outline of either end of a tooth.

Naval Architecture. a longitudinal elevation or section of a vessel.Compare outboard profile.

verb (used with object), pro·filed, pro·fil·ing.

to draw a profile of.

to produce or present a history, description, or analysis of: The magazine will profile the candidate in its next issue.

Nearby words

proffer, profibrinolysin, proficiency, proficiency badge, proficient, profile, profile component, profile drag, profiler, profiling, profilometer

Origin of profile

1650–60; (noun) < Italian prof(f)ilo, noun derivative of profilare “to delineate, outline,” equivalent to pro- pro-¹ + -filare, derivative of filo “line, thread” < Latin fīlum

SYNONYMS FOR profile

1 silhouette.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR profile ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

pro·fil·er, nounhalf-pro·file, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for profile

The exposure and buzz from Short Term have raised her profile considerably.
Brie Larson’s Hollywood Transformation|Marlow Stern|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
So with the doors of late night closed to her, Slate had to scale down her ambitions to raise her profile.
The Curious Little Shell That Restarted Jenny Slate’s Career|Luke Hopping|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Maybe--but he exploited his profile as effectively as any pinup.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In a 2009 profile of the right-wing firebrand, The New Yorker called Savage “a heretic among heretics.”
The Godfather of Right-Wing Radio|Caitlin Dickson|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Oh, and that his profile on Twitter and his name elsewhere say “Ian Miles Cheong” whereas mine says “Arthur Chu.”
Rage Against GamerGate’s Hate Machine: What I Got For Speaking Up|Arthur Chu|November 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Her profile stood out clear in the shaded room, and in spite of myself a great heart-throb passed over me.
A Breath of Prairie and other stories|Will Lillibridge
Its lines correspond pretty well with the profile sketch by Haydon, while in character it assimilates more to Hiltons drawing.
Life of John Keats|William Michael Rossetti
I discovered Lord Brougham's profile, and advised the guide to remember it for the benefit of future visitors.
A July Holiday in Saxony, Bohemia, and Silesia|Walter White
"Turn your face side-ways, so that I can see your profile," said Clay.
Memory|William Walker Atkinson
A head, for instance, is inclosed in sweeping line, and the profile defined within the lead line by means of painting.
Line and Form (1900)|Walter Crane

British Dictionary definitions for profile

profile

/ (ˈprəʊfaɪl) /

noun

a side view, outline, or representation of an object, esp of a human face or head

a view or representation of an object, esp a building, in contour or outline

a short biographical sketch of a subject

a graph, table, or list of scores representing the extent to which a person, field, or object exhibits various tested characteristics or tendenciesa population profile

a vertical section of soil from the ground surface to the parent rock showing the different horizons

a vertical section of part of the earth's crust showing the layers of rock
a representation of such a section

the outline of the shape of a river valley either from source to mouth (long profile) or at right angles to the flow of the river (cross profile)

verb (tr)

to draw, write, or make a profile of

to cut out a shape from a blank (as of steel) with a cutter

Derived Forms

profilist (ˈprəʊfɪlɪst), noun

Word Origin for profile

C17: from Italian profilo, from profilare to sketch lightly, from pro- 1 + Latin fīlum thread

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for profile

profile

[ prō′fīl′ ]

n.

A side view of an object or structure, especially of the human head.

A formal summary or analysis of data, often in the form of a graph or table, representing distinctive features or characteristics.

Idioms and Phrases with profile

profile

see keep a low profile.

profile

noun

verb (used with object), pro·filed, pro·fil·ing.

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Nearby words

Origin of profile

SYNONYMS FOR profile

Related forms

Examples from the Web for profile

British Dictionary definitions for profile

profile

noun

verb (tr)

Derived Forms

Word Origin for profile

Medicine definitions for profile

profile

n.

Idioms and Phrases with profile

profile