professional

1 of 2

adjective

pro·​fes·​sion·​al prə-ˈfesh-nəl 

-ˈfe-shə-nᵊl

1

a

: of, relating to, or characteristic of a profession

b

: engaged in one of the learned professions

c(1)

: characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession

(2)

: exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace

2

a

: participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs

a professional golfer

b

: having a particular profession as a permanent career

a professional soldier

c

: engaged in by persons receiving financial return

professional football

3

: following a line of conduct as though it were a profession

a professional patriot

professionally adverb

professional

2 of 2

noun

: one that is professional

especially : one that engages in a pursuit or activity professionally

Examples of professional in a Sentence

Adjective

Do you have any professional experience?

You should seek professional advice.

a golfer who recently turned professional

I was impressed by the calm and professional way she handled the crisis.

The presentation was very professional.

Noun

The bathtub was installed by a professional.

The tournament is open to both amateurs and professionals.

a golfer who recently became a professional

She handled the situation like a professional.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The city has been rapidly expanding its professional sports profile, starting with the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights in 2017, and now includes the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, and the incoming MLB’s Las Vegas Athletics. —Giovanni Malloy, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025

With Venus retrograde slipping into Pisces and your seventh house of compromise, agreements and significant others, your personal and professional partnerships (and one-on-one connections) are being highlighted. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025

Noun

In addition to featuring health experts and medical professionals who shed light on the many symptoms, signs and changes in this season of life, Ford wants to let listeners know that despite what the media tells women, aging is a beautiful experience. —Essence, 28 Mar. 2025

Rater is a certified professional who evaluates a home’s energy efficiency and prepares an energy rating. —Tyler Shepherd, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1811, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing professional

• inter-professional
• professional corporation
• professional foul

Rhymes for professional

• compressional
• concessional
• confessional
• congressional
• obsessional
• processional
• recessional
• successional
• interprofessional
• paraprofessional
• semiprofessional
• nonprofessional

Kids Definition

professional

1 of 2 adjective

pro·​fes·​sion·​al prə-ˈfesh-nəl 

-ən-ᵊl

1

a

: of, relating to, or resembling that of a profession

b

: having a particular profession as a permanent career

a professional soldier

2

a

: taking part for money in an activity (as sport) that others do for pleasure

professional golfers

b

: engaged in by persons who are paid

professional football

professionally

-ē

adverb

professional

2 of 2 noun

: a person who engages in an activity professionally

Medical Definition

professional

1 of 2 adjective

pro·​fes·​sion·​al prə-ˈfesh-nəl, -ən-ᵊl 

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of a profession

2

: engaged in one of the learned professions

3

: characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession

professionally

-ē 

adverb

professional

2 of 2 noun

: a person who is professional

especially : a person who engages in a pursuit or activity professionally