professional

American  

[pruh-fesh-uh-nl] / prəˈfɛʃ ə nl /

adjective

1. following an occupation as a means of livelihood or for gain.

   a professional builder.

2. of, relating to, or connected with a profession.

   professional studies.

3. appropriate to a profession.

   professional objectivity.

4. engaged in one of the learned professions.

   A lawyer is a professional person.

5. following as a business an occupation ordinarily engaged in as a pastime.

   a professional golfer.

6. making a business or constant practice of something not properly to be regarded as a business.

   “A salesman,” he said, “is a professional optimist.”

7. undertaken or engaged in as a means of livelihood or for gain.

   professional baseball.

8. of or for a professional person or their place of business or work.

   a professional apartment; professional equipment.

9. done by an expert.

   professional car repairs.

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noun

professionals plural

1. a person who belongs to one of the professions, especially one of the learned professions.

2. a person who earns a living in a sport or other occupation frequently engaged in by amateurs.

   a golf professional.

3. an expert player, as of golf or tennis, serving as a teacher, consultant, performer, or contestant; pro.

4. a person who is expert at some kind of work.

   You can tell by her comments that this editor is a real professional.

professional British  

/ prəˈfɛʃənəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, suitable for, or engaged in as a profession

2. engaging in an activity for gain or as a means of livelihood

3. 1. extremely competent in a job, etc

   2. (of a piece of work or anything performed) produced with competence or skill

4. undertaken or performed for gain or by people who are paid

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noun

1. a person who belongs to or engages in one of the professions

2. a person who engages for his livelihood in some activity also pursued by amateurs

3. a person who engages in an activity with great competence

4. an expert player of a game who gives instruction, esp to members of a club by whom he is hired

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• interprofessional
  adjective
• pseudoprofessional
  adjective
• professionally
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• professionals
  plural

Etymology

Origin of professional

First recorded in 1740–50; profession + -al ¹

Explanation

When an athlete "goes pro," she goes professional–-she is paid for her service rather than doing it on an amateur basis. Other professionals, including doctors and lawyers, are also paid for their work, which, we hope, they conduct in a professional manner. In the 15th century, the word profession referred to vows taken upon entering a religious order. A monk or priest professed his faith. Now, the word suggests competence and expertise and even dignity––"He can't ask me to go out for coffee. I'm a vice president. That just wouldn't be professional!"

Example Sentences

The Society of Professional Journalists’ ethics code emphasizes minimizing harm while also acting in the public interest and holding power accountable.

From Salon • Jul. 2, 2026

Professional investment advisers have to wear handcuffs when they manage clients’ money.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 26, 2026

NYU’s School of Professional Studies sees thousands of students who enroll into continuing-education programs for credentials, said Angie Kamath, the school’s dean.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

Professional arcs not entirely aside, this is a romantic comedy, full of meet cutes and related tropes, where love rules; no one’s got it, everyone’s looking for it.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026

"Professional day? How professional is it to skip work?"

From "The Sky at Our Feet" by Nadia Hashimi

Related Words

• competent
• efficient
• experienced
• licensed
• qualified
• skillful