What does PROFILE mean? - Learning English word definitions - with captions

You know the world of English

is a fun and exciting place to be.

I'm so glad you could join me

for another lesson.

Today we will take a look at a word that defines the appearance of something

when viewed from a certain angle,

or in a particular type of lighting situation.

A simple word that has more uses than you might realise.

In this lesson we will look at the word…

profile.

Having derived from the Latin word for ‘thread’,

the word ‘profile’ can be used as both a noun and verb.

Firstly; as a noun we can define the word to mean an outline of a person’s face.

For example - a silhouette view of someone standing side-on,

with the detail of their face shape clearly shown is the profile.

We are looking at the shape of the face and its contours.

A photo taken of one side of a person’s face is a profile shot.

You are seeing something side-on.

An outline of part of the earth’s surface is a profile.

For instance - the course of a river that is shown vertically in diagram form is a profile.

A flat piece of stage scenery that is used as an outline is a profile.

A short article giving a description of a person or an organization is a profile.

On a social media site, the main details of an individual

that have been listed for reference is a profile.

Name - Mr Duncan

Age - 55

Sex - Male-ish

Nationality - British

Occupation - Silly man on the internet

We can describe the extent of public awareness of a person

or an organisation as their profile.

How noticeable an individual is in the public domain might be described as its profile.

A well known thing is high profile.

It is known by many people.

One might use the term ‘high profile Company’

or a ‘high profile politician’.

The extent to which a person or organisation attracts attention is profile.

This definition is used in reference to one singular thing.

A profile can be a graphical or other representation of information

relating to a particular characteristic of something.

Something recorded in quantified form.

The events recorded on a chart during a physical examination

are referred to as a profile.

For example - A person’s sleep profile.

A record of a person’s psychological or behavioural characteristics or preferences

is a profile.

As a verb, the word ‘profile’ means the action of writing a brief description or details

of a person or an organisation.

One person profiles another in an article.

To pick out someone based on their appearance or its appearance is ‘profile’.

For instance - ‘Racial profiling’ is the action of singling out specific people

based on their ethnicity whilst out on police patrol.

To outline the characteristics from one side or angle is ‘profile’.

To shape something using a template is ‘profile’.

To form the appearance of something in a set way again and again is ‘profile’.

We can show the physical shape of; or the details about something in profile.

To describe a person briefly can be described as ‘profile’.

The thing written or said is the profile.

There is the phrase ‘in profile’

which means to look at something or someone from one side.

“The anonymous person appeared behind a lit curtain in profile.”

Do you have a profile photo?

We often see people who have been arrested and detained by the police

in photographs with a front shot and two profile shots,

taken from both sides.

Your Facebook page will most likely have a description of you.

That is your profile.

I’m sure you have seen enough of my profile for today,

so I will wrap up this lesson and leave you in peace.

This is Mr Duncan in the birthplace of English saying

thanks for watching, see you again soon

and of course...

ta ta for now.