profile — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The outermost shape, view, or edge of an object.

   Usage

   • Countable

   Synonyms

   contour

   Examples

   His fingers traced the profile of the handle.

2. The shape, view, or shadow of a person's head from the side; a side view.

   Usage

   • Countable

   Examples

   The brooch showed the profile of a Victorian woman.

   Driver's licenses have a photograph of the person on them, which is in full face if the person is above legal drinking age, or in profile if not.

3. A summary or collection of information, especially about a person.

   Usage

   • Countable

   Examples

   Law enforcement assembled a profile of the suspect.

4. A specific page or field in which users can provide various types of personal information in software or Internet systems.

   Usage

   • Internet
   • Countable

   Examples

   I just updated my Facebook profile to show I got engaged.

   After getting permisssion from my mom, I personal messaged ten different Harveys from her profile who seemed “obviously” Native and lived in Phoenix.

5. Reputation, prominence; noticeability.

   Usage

   • Figurative
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   Acting is, by nature, profession in which one must keep a high profile.

6. The amount by which something protrudes.

   Usage

   • Uncountable

   Examples

   Choose a handle with a low profile so it does not catch on things.

7. A smoothed (e.g., troweled or brushed) vertical surface of an excavation showing evidence of at least one feature or diagnostic specimen; the graphic recording of such as by sketching, photographing, etc.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

8. Character; totality of related characteristics; signature; status (especially in scientific, technical, or military uses).

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   What's the thermal profile on that thing?

9. A section of any member, made at right angles with its main lines, showing the exact shape of mouldings etc.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

10. A drawing exhibiting a vertical section of the ground along a surveyed line, or graded work, as of a railway, showing elevations, depressions, grades, etc.

    Usage

    • Countable
    • Uncountable

11. An exemption from certain types of duties due to injury or disability.

    Usage

    • Countable
    • Slang
    • Uncountable

12. A user's preferences.

    Usage

    • Countable

    Examples

    A roaming profile allows your settings to follow you from one computer to another across a network.

Verb

1. To create a summary or collection of information about (a person, etc.).

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   The book The Men with the Pink Triangles, profiling the lives of gay prisoners in the German concentration camp.

   More examples (1)

   A resource that profiles the important language of secondary disciplines by adapting the methods of EAP research could therefore be very useful for such pedagogy.

   Brianna was profiled as a teen with an unstable living situation and a habit of moving between houses.

2. To act based on such a summary, especially one that is a stereotype; to engage in profiling.

3. To draw in profile or outline.

   Usage

   • Transitive

4. To give a definite form by chiselling, milling, etc.

   Usage

   • Transitive

5. To measure the performance of various parts of (a program) so as to locate bottlenecks.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   […] a complete and intuitive profiler that supports numerous types of profiling modes and profilable applications.

Noun

1. an analysis (often in graphical form) representing the extent to which something exhibits various characteristics

   Broader terms

   chartgraph

   Examples

   a biochemical profile of blood

   a psychological profile of serial killers

2. an outline of something (especially a human face as seen from one side)

   Broader terms

   outlinelineation

3. biographical sketch

   Broader terms

   biographylifelife storylife history

4. degree of exposure to public notice

   Synonyms

   visibility

   Broader terms

   saliencesaliencystrikingness

   Examples

   that candidate does not have sufficient visibility to win an election

5. a vertical section of the Earth's crust showing the different horizons or layers

   Broader terms

   cross section

Verb

1. write about

   Broader terms

   writecomposepenindite

   Examples

   The author of this article profiles a famous painter

2. represent in profile, by drawing or painting

   Broader terms

   representinterpret