pro

1 of 7

noun

plural pros
1
: an argument or evidence in affirmation
an appraisal of the pros and cons
2
: the affirmative side or one holding it

pro

2 of 7

adverb

: on the affirmative side : in affirmation
much has been written pro and con

pro

3 of 7

preposition

: in favor of : for

pro

4 of 7

noun or adjective

PRO

5 of 7

abbreviation

public relations officer

pro-

6 of 7

prefix (1)

1
a
: earlier than : prior to : before
prothalamion
b
: rudimentary : prot-
pronucleus
c
: precursory
proinsulin
2
a
: located in front of or at the front of : anterior to
procephalic
b
: front : anterior
prothorax
3
: projecting
prognathous

pro-

7 of 7

prefix (2)

1
: taking the place of : substituting for
procathedral
procaine
2
: favoring : supporting : championing
pro-American

Examples of pro in a Sentence

Noun He is a pro when it comes to household repairs. She handled that tricky situation like an old pro.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The third-year pro combined with linebacker Ernest Jones to sack Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith in the third quarter. Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2023 Take a lesson from a pro. 32 of 50 Take a Christmas Road Trip Pack your bags and load up the car. Zoe Denenberg, Southern Living, 14 Nov. 2023 The finals came down to two top Men’s pros playing with two top Senior pros. Todd Boss, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023 Lululemon Swiftly Tech Relaxed-Fit Polo Shirt Golf, tennis, or pickleball pros can class it up on the court with this crop polo, currently just $39. Gabrielle Porcaro, Travel + Leisure, 12 Nov. 2023 The dancing pro and her actor fiancé got tattoos together late last month Sharna Burgess is ready to show off a special piece of ink. Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 9 Nov. 2023 Compression socks Socks like these can make all the difference for a smooth post-flight experience, our travel pros say. Leslie Yazel, wsj.com, 7 Nov. 2023 According to Southern Living Test Kitchen pros, dry-brining draws the natural moisture of the bird to the surface for the crispiest skin and most flavorful meat. Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2023 Here, design pros weigh in on the pleasures and perils of having your own upholstered cave. Molly Collett, WSJ, 27 Oct. 2023
Adverb
On Tuesday, the Dancing with the Stars pro posted an adorable Instagram of son Rio John to celebrate him turning 3 months old. Amy Rosner, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2023 Dufner went pro soon after graduation, and has five PGA tour wins to date. Mary Colurso | McOlurso@al.com, al, 18 Sep. 2023 Inside the rising popularity of pickleball 08:46 In 2022, the average PPA pro earned $96,000 in payouts, according to the league. Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2023 When Johnson and Bird went pro later that same year, their rivalry followed them, as did the fans. Shannon Carlin, Time, 4 Aug. 2023 Just last month, the tennis pro joined Kate Middleton to train with Wimbledon ball boys and girls in England. Jill Lupupa, Peoplemag, 3 July 2023 After graduation, this tennis pro quickly realized the corporate world wasn’t for him and moved to Hawaii to live his passion of teaching his favorite sport. Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 1 June 2023 With each pick comes a degree of surrender to uncertainty, as the task of projecting how any player will fare in the transition from college to pro entails an untold number of variables. Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2023 Galligani cheered on Ruud once more at the US Open in September 2022, where the tennis pro reached a new career-high ranking of world No. 2. Ellie Beeck, Peoplemag, 13 Jan. 2023
Preposition
The backstory: Since bringing in longtime pro Wayne Ferreira as coach and taking his game more seriously, Tiafoe has really transformed his career over the last couple years. Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, 19 Jan. 2023 That matched the second-highest finish by a Sun Devil, the other coming from current PGA pro Jon Rahm in 2016. Michelle Gardner, The Arizona Republic, 27 May 2021
Noun or adjective
Remarkably, Bel Air, which opened in 1925, has had only three head pros: Joe Novak, Merrins and now Dave Podas. Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Nov. 2023 The 15th-year pro does not want Nacua to change his physical play and tone-setting ways. Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 23 Nov. 2023 Other pros include a roomy silhouette, so feel free to use it as a blanket during a flight or a wrap while strolling through a new city. Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 20 Nov. 2023 And wealth management pros are expected to receive up to 5%. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 16 Nov. 2023 Danielle and Kevin Jonas share daughters Alena, 9, and Valentina, 7 Danielle Jonas' daughters are already pros at tour life on the road. Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 15 Nov. 2023 The finals came down to two top Men’s pros playing with two top Senior pros. Todd Boss, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023 The Ultimate Organizer Leather Wallet is one of the best travel wallets for keeping your essentials secure, according to travel pros. Buy Side Staff, wsj.com, 6 Nov. 2023 Advertisement The 15th-year pro appeared to be on his way when the Rams kicked a first-quarter field goal. Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pro.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Latin, preposition, for — more at for

Adverb

pro-

Preposition

Latin

Prefix (1)

New Latin, from Latin, from Greek, before, forward, forth, for, from pro — more at for

Prefix (2)

Latin pro in front of, before, for, forward — more at for

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Preposition

1817, in the meaning defined above

Noun Or Adjective

1856, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pro was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near pro

Cite this Entry

“Pro.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pro. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

pro

1 of 5 noun
plural pros
ˈprōz
: an argument or evidence in favor of something
discuss the pros and cons

pro

2 of 5 adverb
: in favor of something

pro

3 of 5 noun or adjective

pro-

4 of 5 prefix
: located in front of or at the front of
prothorax

pro-

5 of 5 prefix
1
: taking the place of : substituting for
pronoun
2
: favoring : supporting
pro-American
Etymology

Noun

Middle English pro "an argument in favor of something," from Latin pro (preposition) "in favor of, for"

Noun or adjective

a shortened form of professional

Prefix

derived from Greek pro "before, forward"

Prefix

derived from Latin pro "in front of, for"

Medical Definition

Pro

1 of 2 abbreviation
proline; prolyl

PRO

2 of 2 abbreviation
peer review organization

More from Merriam-Webster on pro

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