🗣️ To claim openly 🙏 To take vows

to profess

5 7.9

To promise in a ceremony to join a religious community, like becoming a nun or monk

verb
/prəˈfɛs/

Formal

: profesar

According to the portrait's biographical inscription, Sor Maria professed in the Convent of Santa Clara in Mexico City, which admitted only Spanish and Creole women as nuns.
professed nuns
professed religious

Examples

At the ceremony, she will profess her commitment to the religious order for life.
He chose to profess his vows in front of the entire congregation under the watchful eyes of the clergy.
Profess faith in Jesus Christ.

The Dogs of War (1980)
My belief is in Jesus Christ and the truth he professed that would set us free.

Blog text (13)
Now the Orthodox professed the same faith as the emperor and thus enjoyed his special protection.

Academic text (1998)
When I first professed my faith, I entered the convent believing I would remain there until my death.

Fiction book (1999)
The missionaries reported other conversions, including that of Jane Lamont, who professed her belief in Christianity after living with the Samuel Pond family.

Academic text (2000)
During the retreat, the monk will profess his faith and reaffirm his dedication to the monastic life.

Synonyms

to vow

vsto profess

Formal

13 4.6

To promise someone or something to a god

refers specifically to formally joining a religious order and making life promises

Antonyms

to leave

∞ 1.0

To go away from a place, person, or group

Surface Forms

profess infinitive

professed past

professed past participle

professing present participle

professes third person singular

Etymology

Profess comes from the same Latin parts pro- ('forth') and fateri ('to admit' or 'to say'), and it was used for people who 'said' their promises in public. That's why to profess can mean to make a solemn religious vow and so formally join a religious order.