pro

¹ American  

[proh] / proʊ /

adverb

1. in favor of a proposition, opinion, etc.

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noun

plural

pros

1. a proponent of an issue; a person who upholds the affirmative in a debate.

2. an argument, consideration, vote, etc., for something.

pro- ² American  

1. a prefix indicating favor for some party, system, idea, etc., without identity with the group (pro-British; pro-Communist; proslavery ), having anti- as its opposite.

2. a prefix of priority in space or time having especially a meaning of advancing or projecting forward or outward, and also used to indicate substitution, attached widely to stems not used as words.

   provision; prologue; proceed; produce; protract; procathedral; proconsul.

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pro ³ American  

[proh] / proʊ /

adjective

1. professional.

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noun

plural

pros

1. a professional.

2. the pros, the professional athletic leagues, as of football, baseball, or basketball.

   He's sure to be signed by the pros.

pro- ⁴ American  

1. a prefix identical in meaning with pro-1 , occurring in words borrowed from Greek (prodrome ) or formed of Greek (and occasionally Latin) elements.

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pro ⁵ American  

[proh] / proʊ /

noun

Slang.

plural

pros

1. prophylactic.

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pro ⁶ American  

[proh] / proʊ /

preposition

Latin.

1. for.

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Pro ⁷ American  

abbreviation

Biochemistry.

1. proline.

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PRO ⁸ American  

Or P.R.O.

1. public relations officer.

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pro ¹ British  

/ prəʊ /

adverb

1. in favour of a motion, issue, course of action, etc Compare anti

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preposition

1. in favour of

noun

1. (usually plural) an argument or vote in favour of a proposal or motion See also pros and cons

2. (usually plural) a person who votes in favour of a proposal, motion, etc

pro ² British  

/ prəʊ /

noun

1. informal short for professional

2. slang a prostitute

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abbreviation

1. professional practitioner

adjective

1. informal short for professional

PRO ³ British  

abbreviation

1. Public Records Office

2. public relations officer

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pro- ⁴ British  

prefix

1. in favour of; supporting

   pro-Chinese

2. acting as a substitute for

   proconsul

   pronoun

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pro- ⁵ British  

prefix

1. before in time or position; anterior; forward

   prophase

   procephalic

   prognathous

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Etymology

Origin of pro¹

First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English, from Latin prō (preposition) “in favor of, on behalf of,” akin to Greek pró, Sanskrit pra; for, per ( def. )

Origin of pro-²

< Latin prō-, pro-, combining form representing prō pro ¹

Origin of pro³

First recorded in 1840–50; by shortening

Origin of pro-⁴

< Greek, combining form of pró for, before; pro ¹

Origin of pro⁵

First recorded in 1945–50; by shortening

Example Sentences

She has been an active part of crafting Sloane Stephens’ image ahead of her return to pro tennis.

From Los Angeles Times

Their current recruitment strategy involves players from lower echelons compared with the superstar signings that accompanied their entrance into the pro golf market.

From BBC

What would be the pros and cons of having this as a “second home” and letting the son rent it?

From MarketWatch

The siblings played in their first pro event of the year Saturday — the Masters Tournament in Palm Springs.

From Los Angeles Times

Carroll, who turned 74 this season, was hired as a steady hand whose championship-experience in college and in the pros would make the Raiders instantly competitive.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• ace
• expert
• professional