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
: 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
Javier Zarracina, USA Today, 3 May 2025
At the professional golf event, McIlroy's 4-year-old daughter Poppy hung out with him and showed off some of her golfing skills as fans looked on.
—Hannah Sacks, People.com, 2 May 2025
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2025
According to the law firm, the carrier assigned Morgan to seat 28B, a middle seat, next to Cherian Abraham, a corporate professional from Texas.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for professional
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
—Javier Zarracina, USA Today, 3 May 2025
At the professional golf event, McIlroy's 4-year-old daughter Poppy hung out with him and showed off some of her golfing skills as fans looked on.
—Hannah Sacks, People.com, 2 May 2025
Noun
But those two years with Mulkey gave Reese a formative foundation to withstand the rigors of becoming a professional.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2025
According to the law firm, the carrier assigned Morgan to seat 28B, a middle seat, next to Cherian Abraham, a corporate professional from Texas.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for professional
Cite this Entry
“Professional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/professional. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
adverb
-ē
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
professional
2 of 2 noun
: a person who is professional
especially
: a person who engages in a pursuit or activity professionally
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