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

Like any difficult choice, there are pros and cons to both sides.

Read more on Salon

Hennessy, who has won all six of her pro bouts and is known for her showmanship and dancing during ring walks, said she would "shine under the lights".

Read more on BBC

A daily summary of news and insights for financial pros.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It wasn’t until a couple of years ago, however, that I really leveled up to pro status when it comes to mushroom cooking.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The following are six points to consider, according to cruise-business pros.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• ace 
• expert 
• professional