professional

[pruh-fesh-uh-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.

noun

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

/ 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

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

• professionally adverb
• interprofessional adjective
• pseudoprofessional adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of professional¹

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

Example Sentences

"It's been a great year. The Under-17s World Cup was a great experience as it was the first time it felt really professional," said Parkinson.

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He acknowledges fans will find that hard to swallow, but adds a lot of technology and research go into the development of professional strips.

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Flat owner Mr Jones, 42, said when over £300,000 was raised during this time to pay towards fire doors and other fire safety works, thousands of pounds in professional management fees were added on.

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And you confide more because you know your fellow travelers—the friend who had to struggle with professional disappointments she now understands are final, or with personal ones that cannot be changed.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

At age 16, she received guidance from medical professionals to pursue transition drugs.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• competent 
• efficient 
• experienced 
• licensed www.thesaurus.com
• qualified 
• skillful