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

CBS staff, according to reporting, worry that bringing in Weiss will reduce the willingness of the network to maintain a modicum of editorial independence to cover pro‑Palestinian views in a balanced manner.

From Salon

One of the lads drafted this contract saying 'I must not be cheeky to the senior pros again' and he had to sign it before we let him out.

From BBC

Nearly three quarters of this season are still to be played, but if the Rams keep winning and Nacua keeps producing, the third-year pro could be on a track similar to Kupp’s historic season.

From Los Angeles Times

She became the first out LGBTQ+ person to serve as Senate president pro tem, the top position in the California Senate.

From Los Angeles Times

Sitting on her bed, she sketched out a song that weighed up the pros and cons of becoming a singer.

From BBC

Related Words

• ace 
• expert 
• professional