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

“The first group are those with the most severe profile and in our material they have usually already had a stroke,” says Ljubica Matic.

From Science Daily

The study builds upon Navin's previous work on the Human Breast Cell Atlas, which profiled over 714,000 cells to generate a comprehensive genetic map of normal breast tissue at the cellular level.

From Science Daily

Bouhanna denied the accusations, saying in a statement that he “chose to launch the token anonymously, not wanting to associate it with my personal profile or professional affiliations.”

From New York Times

The test opens up possibilities for new research breakthroughs on Alzheimer's disease, including its genetic profile and its prevalence across global populations.

From Science Daily

Data collected by companies are often sold to data brokers or groups that buy, sell and trade data from the internet to create detailed consumer profiles.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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