French word

profiler

Pronunciation

IPA/pʁofile/

Meaning

  • verbloom

Example

Des difficultés se profilent à l'horizon.

Difficulties are looming on the horizon.

Illustration for profiler (loom)

More examples

Dans les résultats, une tendance se profile clairement.

In the results, a trend is clearly emerging.

Core concept

An indistinct trend gradually taking a recognizable shape.

Common phrases

  • se profiler

    emerge

  • une menace se profile

    A threat emerges

Similar words

apparaître: To become visible or noticeable.
se dessiner: To slowly develop a clearer shape or outline.
se manifester: To show itself through signs or other indications.

Definition in French

Surtout employé pronominalement, indique qu'une réalité ou une tendance devient visible ou se précise.

Word origin

French created profiler from profil with -er; the pronominal meaning reflects a profile that comes into view and thus becomes perceptible.

Usage tips

  • Profiler can also be transitive in the literal sense of drawing or showing a profile, but the emerging-meaning use is chiefly pronominal: se profiler.

Other meanings

  • emergeverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word