noun Uncommon

profiling

Profiling (noun) means the process of building up a detailed picture of someone's likely characteristics, often used in criminal investigations. Example: “Offender profiling helped narrow down the suspect list.”

noun

The process of building up a detailed picture of someone's likely characteristics, often used in criminal investigations.

"Offender profiling helped narrow down the suspect list."

The unfair practice of judging or targeting people based on characteristics like race rather than actual behavior.

"Civil rights groups criticized the department for racial profiling."

How to use profiling

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBuilding a picture of someone based on patterns — sometimes a legitimate investigative tool, sometimes an unfair and discriminatory practice.

Common mistake

Context matters a lot: "criminal profiling" (a technique) is very different in tone from "racial profiling" (a form of discrimination).

Common pairings

racial profiling criminal profiling data profiling

Word forms

profilings plural

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Fill the gap

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Offender _____ helped narrow down the suspect list.

Rhymes for profiling

filing ailing piling boiling ceiling railing sailing smiling failing mailing wailing toiling

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Frequently asked questions

What does “profiling” mean?

The word “profiling” means the process of building up a detailed picture of someone's likely characteristics, often used in criminal investigations. In plain terms, building a picture of someone based on patterns — sometimes a legitimate investigative tool, sometimes an unfair and discriminatory practice.

How do you use “profiling” in a sentence?

Here is “profiling” used in a sentence: “Offender profiling helped narrow down the suspect list.”

What part of speech is “profiling”?

“Profiling” is a noun.

Is “profiling” a common word?

“Profiling” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “profiling” have?

“Profiling” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the process of building up a detailed picture of someone's likely characteristics, often used in criminal investigations.