pro
proh
Pro (noun) means a point or reason in favor of something, usually discussed alongside its "cons.". Example: “One big pro of living near work is the short commute.”
noun
1
A point or reason in favor of something, usually discussed alongside its "cons."
"One big pro of living near work is the short commute."
"The main pro of this laptop is its long battery life."
"Let's weigh the pros and cons before deciding."
2
Short for "professional," especially someone who plays a sport or does a job for a living rather than as an amateur.
"My uncle was a golf pro before he opened his own shop."
"Ask a pro to fit the boiler rather than doing it yourself."
"She turned pro after winning the junior championship."
adj
1
Professional; done to a high, expert standard.
"The photographer produced pro quality pictures with only a basic camera."
"That band has a very pro sound for a group of students."
"He edits videos like a pro."
prep
1
In favor of; supporting.
"Most of the villagers are pro the new cycle path."
"She is strongly pro a longer school day, but her friends disagree."
"He's generally pro renewable energy."
How to use pro
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a point in favor of something, or short for "professional."
Common pairings
pros and cons
turn pro
like a pro
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Word forms
- Plural
- pros
- Comparative
- more pro
- Superlative
- most pro
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One big _____ of living near work is the short commute.
Etymology
From Latin pro, meaning "on behalf of" or "in favor of."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “pro” mean?
The word “pro” means a point or reason in favor of something, usually discussed alongside its "cons.". In plain terms, either a point in favor of something, or short for "professional.".
How do you pronounce “pro”?
“Pro” is pronounced proh (/pɹoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “pro” in a sentence?
Here is “pro” used in a sentence: “Let's weigh the pros and cons before deciding.”
What part of speech is “pro”?
Depending on how it is used, “pro” can be a noun, an adjective and a preposition.
Where does the word “pro” come from?
The word “pro” comes from Latin. From Latin pro, meaning "on behalf of" or "in favor of.".
Is “pro” a common word?
“Pro” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “pro” have?
“Pro” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a point or reason in favor of something, usually discussed alongside its "cons.".
What is the difference between a pro and a con?
A pro is a point in favour of something — a benefit or advantage. A con is a point against it — a drawback or disadvantage. People weigh the pros and cons together to decide whether the advantages of a choice outweigh its downsides before making up their minds.
What is the opposite of a 'pro'?
In this sense, the opposite of a pro is a 'con' — a reason against something. The pair comes from Latin, where 'pro' means 'for' and 'con' (from contra) means 'against'. Listing pros and cons simply means setting the reasons for beside the reasons against.
What is an example of a pro?
If you are deciding whether to buy an electric car, the pros might include lower running costs, quieter driving, and fewer emissions. Each is a point in its favour. The cons — such as a higher purchase price or charging time — would be weighed against them.
Does 'pro' have other meanings?
Yes. Apart from a point in favour, 'pro' is a common short form of 'professional', meaning an expert or someone paid for their skill, as in a golf pro. As a prefix, 'pro-' also means 'in support of', as in pro-democracy. Context makes the intended sense clear.
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