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.

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.

verb (used with object)

profiled, profiling 

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

Other Word Forms

• profilist noun
• profiler noun
• half-profile 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

Scattered Spider is name of a loosely linked group of hackers responsible for high profile attacks on M&S, Co-op and Harrods in April and May.

From BBC

“This amounts to racial profiling,” said Maya Wiley, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, during a press call hosted by the Not Above the Law coalititon.

From Salon

Online, people are calling the colours "hero green" and "brave pink", and many are customising their social media profile pictures with filters in those shades.

From BBC

For the main theater, to avoid changing the building’s historic roofline, crews excavated below the original slab, lowering the stage and audience levels so catwalks, rigging and lighting grids could fit under the low profile.

From Los Angeles Times

On the upside, he says, multiple trials and analyses suggest it can promote weight loss, improve insulin sensitivity, lower blood pressure and enhance lipid profiles, with some evidence of anti-inflammatory benefits.

From BBC

Related Words

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