professional
pruh-FEHSH-uh-nuhl
Professional (adjective) means relating to or meeting the standards of a skilled occupation. Example: “The plumber did a professional job and left the kitchen spotless.”
adjective
1
Relating to or meeting the standards of a skilled occupation.
"The plumber did a professional job and left the kitchen spotless."
"Please keep your behaviour professional when you speak to customers."
"She gave a very professional presentation."
2
Doing an activity for pay rather than as a hobby.
"My cousin hopes to become a professional footballer when she leaves school."
"She started as an amateur singer but now has a professional contract."
"He plays professional basketball in Europe."
noun
1
A person who works in, or is skilled at, a particular occupation.
"The nurse is a real professional and stays calm in every emergency."
"We hired a professional to fix the roof because it was too dangerous."
"The event drew marketing professionals from around the country."
How to use professional
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo do with (or meeting the standards of) a skilled job — or someone who does that job, especially for pay.
Common pairings
professional development
act professional
young professional
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Word forms
- Plural
- professionals
- Comparative
- more professional
- Superlative
- most professional
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The plumber did a _____ job and left the kitchen spotless.
Etymology
From profession + -al.
Synonyms
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expert
skilled
competent
qualified
businesslike
polished
trained
proficient
master
pro
professional person
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for professional
coronal
rational
diagonal
personal
seasonal
national
optional
regional
hormonal
hexagonal
fictional
emotional
See all rhymes for professional →
Frequently asked questions
What does “professional” mean?
The word “professional” means relating to or meeting the standards of a skilled occupation. In plain terms, to do with (or meeting the standards of) a skilled job — or someone who does that job, especially for pay.
How do you pronounce “professional”?
“Professional” is pronounced pruh-FEHSH-uh-nuhl (/pɹəˈfɛʃ.ə.nəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “professional” in a sentence?
Here is “professional” used in a sentence: “She gave a very professional presentation.”
What part of speech is “professional”?
Depending on how it is used, “professional” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “professional” a common word?
“Professional” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “professional” have?
“Professional” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to or meeting the standards of a skilled occupation.
What is the difference between professional and amateur?
Professional describes work done to the paid standards of a trained occupation, with the competence and reliability that implies. Amateur describes something done for love or as a hobby, without pay or formal qualification. Calling work professional praises its polish, while amateur often suggests it falls short of that standard.
Is professional a positive word?
Generally, yes. Describing someone or their work as professional implies competence, reliability, and appropriate conduct, which are clear compliments in most settings. It can occasionally sound cold or impersonal, as in a professional smile, but in the sense of meeting occupational standards it is almost always approving.
What is an example of professional behaviour?
Turning up on time, communicating clearly, meeting deadlines, respecting confidentiality, and staying calm under pressure are all professional behaviours. The word covers both the quality of the work itself and the manner in which someone conducts themselves, from dressing suitably and treating colleagues with courtesy to taking responsibility for mistakes.
Can professionalism be taught?
Yes. While some traits come with experience, the standards behind professional conduct, such as punctuality, clear communication, ethics, and accountability, can be learned and trained. Many workplaces and courses teach them directly, and most people become more professional over time as they absorb the expectations of their field.
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