profess

verb

pro·​fess prə-ˈfes 

prō-

professed; professing; professes

transitive verb

1

: to receive formally into a religious community following a novitiate by acceptance of the required vows

2

a

: 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

4

a

: 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

• act
• affect
• assume
• bluff
• counterfeit
• dissemble
• fake
• feign
• pass (for)
• pretend
• put on
• sham
• simulate

Examples of profess in a Sentence

He professes confidence in his friend.

They profess loyalty to the king.

Recent Examples on the Web

In 1914, Kolbe professed final vows, taking the name Br. —Christine Rousselle, Fox News, 8 Dec. 2024

The singer/actress, 78, who dated the KISS musician from 1977 to 1979, reveals in her new memoir Cher: The Memoir, Part One that Simmons, 75, professed his love for her after just one date. —Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 27 Nov. 2024

The senator embraces Trump’s policy of peace through strength, which professes that a firm stance against adversaries will reduce the need for foreign engagement. —Chloe Berger, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2024

Netflix acknowledged the complaints registered on social media, with X users posting heavily pixelated videos professing to be of the match. —Kate Gibson, CBS News, 19 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

Kids Definition

profess

verb

pro·​fess prə-ˈfes 

1

: to declare openly or freely

profess confidence in a friend

2

: pretend entry 1 sense 1, claim

professed to be our friends