1 profess | Definition of profess
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

profess

verb
pro·​fess | \ prə-ˈfes How to pronounce profess (audio) , prō-\
professed; professing; professes

Definition of profess

transitive verb

1 : to receive formally into a religious community following a novitiate by acceptance of the required vows
2a : to declare or admit openly or freely : affirm
b : to declare in words or appearances only : pretend, claim
3 : to confess one's faith in or allegiance to
4a : to practice or claim to be versed in (a calling or profession)
b : to teach as a professor

intransitive verb

1 : to make a profession or avowal
2 obsolete : to profess friendship
Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about profess

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of profess in a Sentence

He professes confidence in his friend. They profess loyalty to the king.

Recent Examples on the Web

 Skin-deep support At least the hotel chains are responding to consumers’ professed increasing support for green products and services, right? — Yossi Sheffi, Quartz, "Removing mini-shampoos from hotel rooms won’t save the environment," 29 Aug. 2019 Putin has many fans in Italy, including the country’s de facto leader, Salvini, who has publicly professed admiration for the Russian leader. — Jason Horowitz, BostonGlobe.com, "A clash of worldviews as Pope Francis and Putin meet again," 4 July 2019

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

See More

First Known Use of profess

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

History and Etymology for profess

in sense 1, from Middle English, from profes, adjective, having professed one's vows, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin professus, from Latin, past participle of profitēri to profess, confess, from pro- before + fatēri to acknowledge; in other senses, from Latin professus, past participle — more at confess

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for profess

profess

verb
How to pronounce profess (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of profess

formal
: to say or declare (something) openly
: to say that you are, do, or feel something when other people doubt what you say
old-fashioned : to believe in (a particular religion)

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

profess

verb
pro·​fess | \ prə-ˈfes How to pronounce profess (audio) \
professed; professing

Kids Definition of profess

1 : to declare openly He professed his love.
2 : pretend sense 2 She professed to be my friend.

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on profess

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with profess

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for profess

Spanish Central: Translation of profess

Nglish: Translation of profess for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of profess for Arabic Speakers

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!