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

professional training/development/experience

a professional career as a nurse/teacher/scientist

b

: engaged in a profession that requires academic learning as preparation

The professional middle class … attains its position through educational credentials rather than inheritance …

—Jeffrey J. Williams

c(1)

: characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession

did a competent, professional job

Child actors in big productions still have to go to school—and find ways to have some fun—while rehearsing on a professional level.

—Jessica Gelt

(2)

: exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace

professional behavior/attire

deals with customers in a professional way

The presentation was very professional.

2

a

: participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs

a professional golfer/poker player

Few think of Idaho as fertile ground for developing professional baseball players.

—Michael Lycklama

b

: having a particular profession as a permanent career

a professional soldier

c

: engaged in by persons receiving financial return

plays professional football/sports/poker

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 : someone who does a job that requires special training, education, or skill : someone who is a member of a profession

medical professionals

The bathtub was installed by a professional.

especially : one that engages in a pursuit or activity professionally

The tournament is open to both amateurs and professionals.

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

The whole team of professional athletes dressed up in costumes far from their red-and-blue NFL uniforms, with many players coordinating with their wives, girlfriends and fiancés, and Bush brought PEOPLE along for the entire wild ride with an exclusive photo diary from the event. —Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025

The Bachelor will always find a wife in six weeks, Kim and Khloe will always make up, and Chrishell and crew will always wear inappropriate outfits in a professional atmosphere. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025

Noun

Meanwhile, the horizontal stroke expands dramatically as AI enables professionals to contribute meaningfully beyond their core expertise. —François Candelon, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025

The group said air traffic controllers and other aviation safety professionals often work grueling schedules of six days a week and 10-hour days. —Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 31 Oct. 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