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

That is almost unfathomable, considering the Celtics are one of the most storied franchises in all of professional sports, and the Mavericks were a very good franchise in a very valuable market. —Zach Harper, New York Times, 19 June 2025

More Pro Wrestling: WWE's Liv Morgan To Undergo Surgery: Report Former WWE Champion Originally Wanted To Be Goldberg's Retirement Opponent Wrestling Legend Ric Flair Forced To Cancel Appearance Amid Cancer Battle For more WWE and professional wrestling news, head on over to Newsweek Sports. —Jeremy Hanna, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025

Noun

It’s already caught on with the young professionals and the many nearby hospital staffers from NYU Langone, Lenox Hill and Mount Sinai who can come for a meal of small bites, pizzas, pastas or a full-scale dinner in a splendid surroundings. —John Mariani, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

Through its cutting-edge and innovative learning strategies to foster emerging talent in the creative and luxury industries, undergraduate and postgraduate programs are taught by industry professionals and highly qualified faculty. —Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 20 June 2025

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

Rhymes for professional

• compressional
• concessional
• confessional
• congressional
• obsessional
• processional
• recessional
• successional
• interprofessional
• paraprofessional
• semiprofessional
• nonprofessional

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