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

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.

From 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.

From The Wall Street Journal

His pro bono lawyers have appealed the asylum denial.

From 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.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From BBC

Related Words

• ace
• expert
• professional