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

Still, his professional career has been a story of creating deep connections and collaborations with others. —Dev Patnaik, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024

In her professional wrestling career, Green has won the Impact Knockouts Championship, the Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Championship with Deonna Purrazzo, and the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship with Niven. —Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 15 Dec. 2024

Noun

From a medical professional's viewpoint, properly obtained informed consent protects the surgeon and the institution from liability. —Alon Zuckerman, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

For many medical professionals, trying to deal with the vagaries of the insurance system is now an unavoidable feature of their work. —John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024

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

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