# profile

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈpɹəʊfaɪl/ · frequency rank #1,610

## Definitions
1. The outermost shape, view, or edge of an object.
2. The shape, view, or shadow of a person's head from the side; a side view.
3. A summary or collection of information, especially about a person.
4. A specific page or field in which users can provide various types of personal information in software or Internet systems.
5. Reputation, prominence; noticeability.
6. The amount by which something protrudes.
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.
8. Character; totality of related characteristics; signature; status (especially in scientific, technical, or military uses).
9. A section of any member, made at right angles with its main lines, showing the exact shape of mouldings etc.
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.
11. An exemption from certain types of duties due to injury or disability.
12. A user's preferences.

## Etymology
From French profil, from Italian profilo (“a border”), later also proffilo (“a side-face, profile”), from Latin pro (“before”) + filo (“a line, stroke, thread”), from filum (“a thread”); see file. Doublet of purfle.

## Easily confused with
- **profit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/profile-vs-profit)
- **provide** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/profile-vs-provide)
- **promise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/profile-vs-promise)
- **profits** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/profile-vs-profits)
- **profiler** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/profile-vs-profiler)
- **profane** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/profane-vs-profile)

## Common misspellings (10)
`porfile`, `pprofile`, `prfoile`, `proffile`, `profiel`, `profille`, `proflie`, `proifle`, `prrofile`, `rpofile`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/profile