Cool MateCurriculum vitae vs Profile
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Curriculum vitae
Profile
| Curriculum vitae | Profile | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kəˈrɪkjʊləm viˈteɪ//🇺🇸 //kəˈrɪkjʊləm viˈteɪ// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈprəʊfaɪl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈprəʊfaɪl/"]/ |
| Meaning | A document listing your education and work experience. | A description of a person that includes information about their characteristics. |
| Example | She submitted her curriculum vitae to the company for the job interview. | You should update your profile on the social media site. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A2 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | update curriculum vitae, submit curriculum vitae, strong curriculum vitae, academic curriculum vitae, professional curriculum vitae | detailed, in-depth, age, build, build up, construct, profile of, high, low, public, have, give somebody/something, boost, handsome, strong, three-quarter, present, examine, study, in profile |
| Antonyms | - | disregard, obscurity |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'resume'; CV is longer and more detailed., Using 'curriculum vitae' in informal contexts where 'CV' is sufficient., Failing to include all relevant experiences and qualifications in the CV. | Confusing 'profile' with 'proficient'., Using 'profile' as a verb incorrectly., Not distinguishing between personal and professional profiles. |
| Usage notes | Used in job applications; can be abbreviated as 'CV.' More common in UK than US, where 'resume' is preferred. | Commonly used in social media and professional contexts. Avoid using in very formal writing unless referring to a detailed report. |
Frequently asked questions: Curriculum vitae vs Profile
What's the difference between Curriculum vitae and Profile?
Curriculum vitae: A document listing your education and work experience. Profile: A description of a person that includes information about their characteristics.
Which is more formal: Curriculum vitae and Profile?
Curriculum vitae is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Curriculum vitae and Profile?
Profile is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Curriculum vitae: She submitted her curriculum vitae to the company for the job interview. Profile: You should update your profile on the social media site.
Can I use Curriculum vitae and Profile interchangeably?
Not always. Curriculum vitae and Profile are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.