profile

noun

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pro·file | \ ˈprō-ˌfī(-ə)l

Definition of profile

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a representation of something in outline especially : a human head or face represented or seen in a side view

2 : an outline seen or represented in sharp relief : contour

3 : a side or sectional elevation: such as

a : a drawing showing a vertical section of the ground

b : a vertical section of a soil from the ground surface to the underlying unweathered material

4 : a set of data often in graphic form portraying the significant features of something a corporation's earnings profile especially : a graph representing the extent to which an individual exhibits traits or abilities as determined by tests or ratings

5 : a concise biographical sketch

6 : degree or level of public exposure trying to keep a low profile a job with a high profile

profile

verb

profiled; profiling

Definition of profile (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to represent in profile or by a profile : produce (as by drawing, writing, or graphing) a profile of

2 : to shape the outline of by passing a cutter around

3 : to subject to profiling

Other Words from profile Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about profile

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Choose the Right Synonym for profile

Noun

outline, contour, profile, silhouette mean the line that bounds and gives form to something. outline applies to a line marking the outer limits or edges of a body or mass. traced the outline of his hand contour stresses the quality of an outline or a bounding surface as being smooth, jagged, curving, or sharply angled. a car with flowing contours profile suggests a varied and sharply defined outline against a lighter background. a portrait of her face in profile silhouette suggests a shape especially of a head or figure with all detail blacked out in shadow leaving only the outline clearly defined. photograph in silhouette against a bright sky

Examples of profile in a Sentence

Noun His profile is very unusual. An image of the President's profile appears on the coin. I read a profile of her in a magazine. Verb The mayor was profiled in the magazine last month.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun She was promoted to managing director in 2012, according to a profile in Greater Houston Partnership. — Chelsey Cox, USA TODAY, "Fact check: Heidi Cruz is an exec at Goldman Sachs, but the company doesn't oversee Texas utilities," 24 Feb. 2021 Authorities have arrested hundreds of the protesters, and Shteyn’s relatively high profile may have marked her for further legal action. — Cnaan Liphshiz, sun-sentinel.com, "Why anti-Putin protest movement divides Russian Jews," 24 Feb. 2021 J Balvin has a huge following, but to put that profile on the TV version of the show, Acevedo would probably have to spend considerable time explaining to viewers who the star is, Owens said. — David Bauder, Star Tribune, "'60 Minutes' will have streaming spinoff on Paramount+," 24 Feb. 2021 The state quickly released its website, created by the development company Real Time Solutions, and encouraged New Mexicans to create a user profile on it as soon as possible — regardless of their vaccine eligibility. — NBC News, "Why have some states fared better than others with vaccine distribution?," 24 Feb. 2021 The rover has a dedicated Twitter profile offering insights with a voice of its own, as well as a Facebook page. — Jacob Muñoz, Smithsonian Magazine, "How to Keep Up With NASA’s Perseverance Rover as It Explores Mars," 24 Feb. 2021 J Balvin has a huge following, but to put that profile on the TV version of the show, Acevedo would probably have to spend considerable time explaining to viewers who the star is, Owens said. — David Bauder, ajc, "'60 Minutes' will have streaming spinoff on Paramount+," 24 Feb. 2021 The initiative is aimed at raising Hartford’s profile as a technological innovation hub, a 21st century take on the city’s history as a center of manufacturing innovation. — Kenneth R. Gosselin, courant.com, "Drones in the cubicle: Gov. Ned Lamont sees role of office towers in Connecticut cities changing as downtown shifts after pandemic," 23 Feb. 2021 Continuing to improve that part of his game complements an already elite offensive profile. — Meghan Montemurro, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago Cubs roster projection: Which 26 players will break camp for the 2021 season opener?," 22 Feb. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Smith and junior-to-be Zach Harrison now profile as the Buckeye’s starting defensive ends in 2021, with Tyler Friday and Javontae Jean-Baptiste returning as well. — Nathan Baird, cleveland, "Ohio State football’s Tyreke Smith will return for senior season, putting off NFL Draft," 19 Jan. 2021 That’s based on survey results compiled by Ocean Strategies, a public relations firm that focuses on fisheries that helped profile the Pacific region for a larger federal study. — Anchorage Daily News, "Nearly all Alaska and West Coast fishermen badly hurt by pandemic, survey indicates," 19 Jan. 2021 For the Virtual House Walk, the Browns plan to profile yet another Blue Island home by spring. — Susan Degrane, chicagotribune.com, "Blue Island House Walk moves online, offers video tours of historic homes," 27 Dec. 2020 Co-directors Weixi Chen and Hao Wu profile the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, China. — John Benson, cleveland, "‘10 Days with Dad’ and ‘Kill It and Leave This Town’ top this week’s streaming movies at Cleveland Cinemas and Cinematheque," 23 Dec. 2020 Shalini Venugopal Bhagat and Hari Kumar, Times reporters in New Delhi, interviewed families and found the two children to profile: Monu, 13, and Aamya, 11. — Derek Watkins, New York Times, "How We Reported on Pollution in New Delhi Through Two Children," 24 Dec. 2020 Some parents and teachers in the Tampa Bay area are asking for changes in a program used by a Florida sheriff to profile students as potential criminals. — orlandosentinel.com, "Florida sheriff’s student database has parents, teachers crying foul," 11 Dec. 2020 In his last effort to psychologically profile a leader, Post trained his expertise on Donald Trump. — Washington Post, "CIA psychological profiler who labeled Trump ‘dangerous’ dies of covid-19 at 86," 5 Dec. 2020 Privacy from businesses that have an unprecedented volume of data that can be used to target or profile consumers. — Alexandra Samuel, WSJ, "How to Protect Your Privacy When Working From Home," 7 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'profile.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

27 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Profile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/profile. Accessed 8 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for profile

profile

noun

English Language Learners Definition of profile

(Entry 1 of 2)

: the shape of a head or face that is seen or drawn from the side

: the shape of something that is seen against a background

: a brief written description that provides information about someone or something

profile

verb

English Language Learners Definition of profile (Entry 2 of 2)

: to give a brief description that provides information about (someone or something)

See the full definition for profile in the English Language Learners Dictionary

profile

noun

pro·file | \ ˈprō-ˌfīl

Kids Definition of profile

1 : something (as a head or a mountain) seen or drawn from the side

2 : a level of activity that draws attention As an actress, she can't avoid a high profile.

profile

noun

pro·file | \ ˈprō-ˌfīl

Medical Definition of profile

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a set of data exhibiting the significant features of something and often obtained by multiple tests the profile of CK isoenzymes in skeletal muscle— A. J. Siegel & D. M. Dawson

2 : a graphic representation of the extent to which an individual or group exhibits traits as determined by tests or ratings this group did not give a homogeneous personality profile — Diseases of the Nervous System

profile

transitive verb

profiled; profiling

Medical Definition of profile (Entry 2 of 2)

: to represent in profile or by a profile : produce a profile of (as by writing or graphing)

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