professor
pruh-FEHS-uh
Professor (noun) means the highest academic rank at a university, or, more loosely, any university teacher. Example: “The professor handed back our essays at the end of the lecture.”
noun
1
The highest academic rank at a university, or, more loosely, any university teacher.
"The professor handed back our essays at the end of the lecture."
"She was made a full professor of chemistry at thirty-five."
"His professor recommended he apply for the research grant."
2
Someone who openly declares or teaches a belief, skill, or art.
"She was a professor of calligraphy, travelling from town to town to teach the craft."
"As a professor of meditation, he taught calm breathing to anyone willing to learn."
"He was a professor of the old fencing traditions, passing them on to a handful of students."
3
A humorous or mocking title for someone who acts like an expert or is unusually obsessive about a subject.
"Our dad, the self-appointed professor of barbecue, lectured us about charcoal again."
"Here comes the professor, ready to explain every train timetable to us."
"His friends jokingly called him "the professor" for his encyclopedic trivia knowledge."
How to use professor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA senior university teacher, or loosely, anyone treated as an authority (sometimes mockingly) on a subject.
UK vs US
In the UK, "professor" is a specific senior title; in the US it is used more loosely for most university teaching staff.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a professor of history
a visiting professor
associate professor
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Word forms
- Plural
- professors
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The _____ handed back our essays at the end of the lecture.
Etymology
From Latin professor, "one who declares or claims knowledge," related to profiteor, "to profess."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for professor
See all rhymes for 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.
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