1. to claim or declare openly, often without proof
2. to declare one’s faith in or allegiance to something
3. to practice or teach as one’s profession
Usage: formal

Examples

• She professes to be an expert in ancient history.
• He professes his love for her every day.
• The candidate professes strong support for education reform.
• Many people profess Christianity but don’t attend church regularly.
• The doctor professes medicine at the university hospital.
• She professes innocence despite the evidence against her.
• He professes to understand quantum physics, but his explanations are unclear.