professor
8 synonyms and 0 antonyms for professor, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The highest academic rank at a university, or, more loosely, any university teacher.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use professor
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin professor, "one who declares or claims knowledge," related to profiteor, "to profess."
Full origin of professor →Frequently asked questions
What does “professor” mean?
The word “professor” means the highest academic rank at a university, or, more loosely, any university teacher. In plain terms, a senior university teacher, or loosely, anyone treated as an authority (sometimes mockingly) on a subject.
How do you pronounce “professor”?
“Professor” is pronounced pruh-FEHS-uh (/pɹəˈfɛs.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “professor” in a sentence?
Here is “professor” used in a sentence: “She was made a full professor of chemistry at thirty-five.”
What part of speech is “professor”?
“Professor” is a noun.
Where does the word “professor” come from?
The word “professor” comes from Latin. From Latin professor, "one who declares or claims knowledge," related to profiteor, "to profess.".
Is “professor” a common word?
“Professor” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “professor” have?
“Professor” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the highest academic rank at a university, or, more loosely, any university teacher.
What is the difference between a professor and a teacher?
A teacher can work at any level, from primary school upward, and the word is general. A professor teaches at a university or college and, strictly, holds the highest academic rank. All professors are teachers, but not all teachers are professors. Loosely, people also call any university instructor a professor.
What is the difference between a professor and a lecturer?
In many university systems a lecturer is a teaching-focused, often more junior post, while 'professor' is a senior title marking the highest academic rank, usually earned through years of research and teaching. Usage varies by country: in the US 'professor' is used broadly, while in the UK it is reserved for the top rank.
How do you become a professor?
The usual path is a bachelor's degree, then a PhD in your field, followed by years of research, publishing, and university teaching. Academics typically progress through junior roles before being promoted to full professor. Strong research output, funding, and a reputation in the field all weigh heavily in reaching the top rank.
How should you address a professor?
The safe, respectful form is 'Professor' followed by their surname — 'Professor Smith.' You can use it in speech, email, and letters. If you are unsure whether someone holds the title, 'Professor' is a courteous choice for a university teacher, though some prefer 'Dr' or being addressed by first name once acquainted.