pro

¹

[proh]

adverb

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

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

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.

pro

³

[proh]

adjective

1. professional.

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

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

pro

⁵

[proh]

noun

Slang.

plural

pros 

1. prophylactic.

pro

⁶

[proh]

preposition

Latin.

1. for.

Pro

⁷

abbreviation

Biochemistry.

1. proline.

PRO

⁸

Or P.R.O.

1. public relations officer.

pro

¹

/ prəʊ /

adverb

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

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

/ prəʊ /

noun

1. informal,  short for professional

2. slang,  a prostitute

abbreviation

1. professional practitioner

adjective

1. informal,  short for professional

PRO

³

abbreviation

1. Public Records Office

2. public relations officer

pro-

⁴

prefix

1. in favour of; supporting

   pro-Chinese

2. acting as a substitute for

   proconsul

   pronoun

pro-

⁵

prefix

1. before in time or position; anterior; forward

   prophase

   procephalic

   prognathous

Word History and Origins

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 pro²

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

Origin of pro³

First recorded in 1840–50; by shortening

Origin of pro⁴

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

Origin of pro⁵

First recorded in 1945–50; by shortening

Word History and Origins

Origin of pro¹

from Latin prō (prep) in favour of

Origin of pro²

C19: by shortening

Origin of pro³

from Latin prō (adv and prep). In compound words borrowed from Latin, prō- indicates: forward, out ( project ); forward and down ( prostrate ); away from a place ( prodigal ); onward in time or space ( proceed ); extension outwards ( propagate ); before in time or place ( provide, protect ); on behalf of ( procure ); acting as a substitute for ( pronominal ); and sometimes intensive force ( promiscuous )

Origin of pro⁴

from Greek pro (prep) before (in time, position, rank, etc)

Example Sentences

Speaking to business leaders in Nagoya, Ueda said that the BOJ “will consider the pros and cons” of raising its policy interest rate at its upcoming policy meeting, which ends Dec. 19.

Read more on MarketWatch

It’s how the sport has gone ruthlessly pro—but people still act like it’s some folksy campus endeavor when it suits their motives.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

His pro bono lawyers have appealed the asylum denial.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

At that meeting—the final one of the year—the BOJ “will consider the pros and cons of raising the policy interest rate and make decisions as appropriate,” Ueda said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

You take all the factors into consideration, the pros and cons, whatever it may be.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• ace 
• expert 
• professional