profess
C1Formal
Definition
Meaning
To declare or claim something openly, often a feeling, belief, or skill. It implies a formal or public declaration.
1. To affirm one's faith in or allegiance to (a religion or set of principles). 2. To claim to have (a quality or feeling), often insincerely. 3. To work as a professor or teacher of a subject at a university.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word often carries a nuance of solemnity or formality. When referring to insincere claims, it can be used critically (e.g., 'He professed concern, but did nothing').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. The verb 'to profess' in the sense of 'to work as a professor' is slightly more common in American university contexts. Spelling differences follow standard patterns (e.g., 'profess' vs. 'professor' as the noun).
Connotations
In both varieties, it can suggest a degree of earnestness or, conversely, hypocrisy, depending on context. The academic sense is neutral.
Frequency
More frequent in written, academic, religious, or formal contexts in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
~ sth~ to be/do sth~ that clauseVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Profess ignorance (to claim not to know)”
- “To all appearances, he was..., but in reality he professed... (literary)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in formal statements: 'The CEO professed a commitment to ethical practices.'
Academic
Common in humanities: 'The author professes a postmodernist viewpoint.' Also used for academic posts: 'He professes Medieval History at Oxford.'
Everyday
Uncommon. Used for strong, often romantic declarations: 'He professed his love for her.'
Technical
Primarily in religious or philosophical contexts: 'To profess one's faith.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She professed a total lack of interest in the scandal.
- He is a professed atheist.
- She professes French Literature at the University of Edinburgh.
American English
- They professed allegiance to the new policy.
- I profess to be no expert in this field.
- He professes Economics at Stanford University.
adverb
British English
- No adverbial form directly from 'profess'. Use 'professedly'. (e.g., He was professedly happy).
American English
- No adverbial form directly from 'profess'. Use 'professedly'. (e.g., She is professedly in favour of the change).
adjective
British English
- No common adjectival use of 'profess'. Use 'professed' (e.g., a professed goal).
American English
- No common adjectival use of 'profess'. Use 'professed' (e.g., a professed ideology).
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He professed his love for her in a letter.
- They professed to be very happy with the result.
- Despite the evidence, he continued to profess his innocence.
- She professes a great admiration for classical music.
- Many of the regime's opponents were forced to profess loyalty publicly.
- The philosopher professes a radical skepticism towards all dogma.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: PROfessor + CONFESS. A professor 'professes' knowledge publicly, just as one might 'confess' something privately.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/BELIEF IS A PUBLIC DECLARATION (e.g., 'He professed his theories to the world').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'профессор' (professor - the noun). The verb 'profess' is 'заявлять', 'провозглашать', 'исповедовать (веру)'.
- The sense of 'claiming insincerely' (притворяться) is important.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'He professed to knowing the answer.' Correct: 'He professed to know the answer.' or 'He professed knowledge of the answer.'
- Overuse in informal contexts where 'say' or 'claim' would be more natural.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'profess' used most neutrally?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Profess' is a public declaration of a belief, feeling, or skill. 'Confess' is an admission of something negative (a sin, guilt, a secret) or a personal feeling, often privately.
Yes. When someone 'professes' a feeling or belief that their actions contradict, it implies hypocrisy or insincerity (e.g., 'He professed concern for the poor but voted against welfare').
No, it is a formal word. In everyday speech, people are more likely to use 'say', 'claim', 'declare', or 'state'.
The main noun is 'profession' (in the sense of declaration, e.g., 'a profession of faith'), not to be confused with 'profession' meaning job. The person is a 'professor' only in the academic sense.