professionalize

American  

[pruh-fesh-uh-nl-ahyz] / prəˈfɛʃ ə nlˌaɪz /

especially British, professionalise

verb (used with object)

professionalized, professionalizing

1. to give a professional character or status to; make into or establish as a profession.

---

verb (used without object)

professionalized, professionalizing

1. to become professional.

professionalize British  

/ prəˈfɛʃənəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to impose a professional structure or status on (something)

---

Other Word Forms

• professionalist noun
• professionalization noun

Etymology

Origin of professionalize

First recorded in 1855–60; professional + -ize

Example Sentences

One of the efforts to professionalize the process is ICEList, a web database created by Dominick Skinner, an Irish activist based in the Netherlands.

From Slate • Jan. 28, 2026

For many of the program’s students, the schooling offers a chance to professionalize their passion.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2026

In Ukraine, the added financial firepower is helping professionalize outfits that began in garages and military units—giving them a chance to compete abroad with Western players.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 1, 2025

“Rugby has an underlying need to professionalize its management off the pitch, just as it has done on the pitch over the past 25 years,” Ilube said.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 6, 2023

Shawn wanted to professionalize the operation, to invest the profits from the Malad job in new equipment; Dad wanted things to stay the same.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover