professionalize

verb

pro·​fes·​sion·​al·​ize prə-ˈfesh-nə-ˌlīz 

-ˈfe-shə-nə-ˌlīz

professionalized; professionalizing

transitive verb

: to give a professional character to

professionalization

prə-ˌfesh-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

-ˌfe-shə-nə-lə-

noun

Examples of professionalize in a Sentence

The country is professionalizing the military.

Recent Examples on the Web

Source attractive deals, add leverage, professionalize management, improve reporting, reduce costs, optimize pricing, pursue tuck-in acquisitions, capture multiple expansion and exit quickly through competitive auctions. — Andrea Guerzoni, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Peppiatt’s great-grandmother, the first in the lineage to professionalize crafting, was a lacemaker specializing in women’s gloves, and Peppiatt’s grandmother taught her artisanal embroidery skills. — Clare Coulson, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026

Those issues persist, even as the field has tried to further professionalize and legitimize itself. — Lauren Chan, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026

Small sellers will professionalize their LIVEs, or lose ground. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for professionalize

• contextualize
• industrialize
• materialise
• materialize
• memorialize
• microenterprise
• overemphasize
• particularize
• revolutionise
• revolutionize
• actualize
• antagonize

Kids Definition

professionalize

verb

pro·​fes·​sion·​al·​ize prə-ˈfesh-nəl-ˌīz 

-ən-ᵊl-

professionalized; professionalizing

: to give a professional nature to