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

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

It's not only the high profile players facing racist abuse - fans have told BBC Sport about their experiences following football.

From BBC

The 36-year-old from London said she had a profile on exclusive dating app Raya but the thought of dating "genuinely makes me feel physically sick".

From BBC

Researchers used cutting-edge DNA analysis to examine these shellfish in two key locations along Colombia's Pacific coast, providing the first detailed genetic profile of these important creatures.

From Science Daily

This approach is especially prominent in areas like cancer research where genetic profiling of tumors can lead to potentially better outcomes and fewer side effects.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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