verbformalless common
to state openly that you have a belief or feeling
She professed her love for him.
Good to know
This is formal; say or claim is more common in everyday English.
Common phrases & grammar
profess a belief · profess love
American English
How to pronounce profess
verbC1
pruhFEHS
/pʰɹəˈfɛs/
2 syllables · Stress the second syllable.
to state openly that you have a belief or feeling
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
verbformalless common
to claim that you have a skill or quality, often without convincing proof
He professes to know the answer.
Common phrases & grammar
profess to know · profess expertise