profile

[ proh-fahyl ]

noun

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

   Synonyms: silhouette

2. a picture or representation of the side view of a head.
3. an outlined view, as of a city or mountain.
4. 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.
5. a drawing or the like representing this.
6. Surveying. a vertical section of the ground surface taken parallel to a survey line. Compare cross section ( def 6 ).
7. 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.

8. an informal biography or a concisely presented sketch of the life and character of a person.
9. Digital Technology. the personal details, images, user statistics, social media timeline, etc., that an individual creates and associates with a username or online account.
10. a set of characteristics or qualities that identify a type or category of person or thing:

    a profile of a typical allergy sufferer.

11. the look, configuration, or lines of something:

    cars with a modern profile.

12. degree of noticeability; visibility.
13. Psychology. a description of behavioral and personality traits of a person compared with accepted norms or standards.
14. 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.
15. (in a gear) the outline of either end of a tooth.
16. Naval Architecture. a longitudinal elevation or section of a vessel. Compare outboard profile.

verb (used with object)

, pro·filed, pro·fil·ing.

1. to draw a profile of.
2. to produce or present a history, description, or analysis of:

   The magazine will profile the candidate in its next issue.

profile

/ ˈprəʊfaɪl; ˈprəʊfɪlɪst /

noun

1. a side view, outline, or representation of an object, esp of a human face or head
2. a view or representation of an object, esp a building, in contour or outline
3. a short biographical sketch of a subject
4. a graph, table, or list of scores representing the extent to which a person, field, or object exhibits various tested characteristics or tendencies

   a population profile

5. a vertical section of soil from the ground surface to the parent rock showing the different horizons
6. 1. a vertical section of part of the earth's crust showing the layers of rock
   2. a representation of such a section
7. 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

1. to draw, write, or make a profile of
2. to cut out a shape from a blank (as of steel) with a cutter

Derived Forms

• profilist, noun

Other Words From

• profil·er noun
• half-profile noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of profile¹

First recorded in 1650–60; (for the noun) from Italian prof(f)ilo, noun derivative of profilare “to delineate, outline,” from pro- pro- ¹ + -filare, derivative of filo “line, thread,” from Latin fīlum

Word History and Origins

Origin of profile¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

see keep a low profile .

Example Sentences

He says he worries about the data of citizens who benefit from public services like welfare being used to build political profiles that can be targeted by the government.

From MIT Technology Review

For example, Drew Ryn, a 23-year-old singer from Nashville who was once on Fox show The X Factor, said she uses TikTok to help boost her profile as a musician.

From Fortune

His profile has risen lately after he announced the iPhone 11’s processor and was one of the showmen of Apple’s Mac processor transition.

From Fortune

Create your custom profile, and the platform searches for and connects you with like-minded people.

From TechCrunch

Of those kits already tested, about 36 percent found a DNA profile for someone other than the victim, the DA’s office said.

From Voice of San Diego

You get these high-profile people that go into prison, and the staff abuse their authority.

From The Daily Beast

When they get someone high profile, like the governor [Bob McDonnell] or like Teresa, they will abuse their positions.

From The Daily Beast

But while his public profile receded, his private life blossomed.

From The Daily Beast

The exposure and buzz from Short Term have raised her profile considerably.

From The Daily Beast

The FBI and the President may claim that the Hermit Kingdom is to blame for the most high-profile network breach in forever.

From The Daily Beast

She opened a large black fan and moved it slowly while looking intently at her son's bent profile.

From Project Gutenberg

She was barely five feet five, but she ranked with tall women, her height as unchallenged as the chiselling of her profile.

From Project Gutenberg

He indicated a fair beautiful creature with a determined profile and deep womanly figure.

From Project Gutenberg

New and highly curious characteristics begin to appear when he attempts to give the profile aspect.

From Project Gutenberg

With children of finer perception the transition to a correct profile view may be carried much further.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• analysis
• biography
• chart
• review
• sketch
• study
• survey