/ ˈprəʊfaɪl; NAmE ˈproʊ-/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
the outline of a person's face when you look from the side, not the front :
his strong profile
a picture of the president in profile
2.
a description of sb/sth that gives useful information :
a job / employee profile
We first build up a detailed profile of our customers and their requirements.
3.
the general impression that sb/sth gives to the public and the amount of attention they receive :
The deal will certainly raise the company's international profile.
4.
the edge or outline of sth that you see against a background :
the profile of the tower against the sky
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IDIOMS
- a high / low profile
■ verb
[ vn ] to give or write a description of sb/sth that gives the most important information :
His career is profiled in this month's journal.
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent.: from obsolete Italian profilo , from the verb profilare , from pro- forth + filare to spin, formerly draw a line (from Latin filare , from filum thread).