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
Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2024
Francisco Estrella Chicon, an Orange County deputy accused of illegally accessing the personal and professional profile information belonging to the lead Seminole County detective on the case and sharing that information with Guerrero De Aguasvivas’ husband Miguel Angel Aguasvivas.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2024
Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians.
—TIME, 22 Apr. 2024
An encyclopedic museum that brings together in one location art objects from every time and place, which had directed LACMA’s professional activities for half a century, was tossed overboard.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024
This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024
Because her estranged father, Davis (Brandon Victor Dixon), is a professional musician, Ali only begrudgingly learns to play the piano from her stern neighbor, Miss Lisa Jane (Kecia Lewis).
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 21 Apr. 2024
Sarah Levy Sarah Levy, who starred as the bubbly Café Tropical owner Twyla Sands, has had many professional and personal developments in the last few years.
—Ilana Frost, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2024
The couple have converged on professional similarities.
—Trilce Estrada Olvera, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
Elizabeth Economy, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
If any of the jurors need to be dismissed during the trial, they would be replaced by one of the six alternate jurors, including a woman who works in creative operations for a clothing company, a contract specialist, an audio professional, and an asset manager.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2024
Hearing the case is a jury that includes, among others, multiple lawyers, a sales professional, an investment banker and an English teacher.
—TIME, 22 Apr. 2024
Now the two women are continuing that work with a new independent venture, Industry Standard, a talent accelerator for early- to mid-career professionals.
—Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Apr. 2024
During the final round of adjudication, students are interviewed by a panel of distinguished artistic professionals and faculty members from Southern California universities.
—Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 21 Apr. 2024
Governor Jim Justice signed a bill on March 29, 2023, that bans medical professionals from prescribing hormone therapy and puberty blockers, as well as gender-affirming surgery.
—Danielle Marie Holland, Parents, 19 Apr. 2024
Regular film festival attendees may note that the BAFTA awards will, once again, be held during the Berlinale, set to run February 13-23, with their likely to be a spike in industry professional flying back to London on the morning of the 16th.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 19 Apr. 2024
That money aims to increase the number of mental health professionals in schools.
—Meg Anderson, NPR, 19 Apr. 2024
Adjective
The bill is one-size-fits-all The bill covers: (1) all employees, exempt and non-exempt; (2) all employers, established giants and budding startups; and (3) all industries, retailers and professional services.
—Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2024
Francisco Estrella Chicon, an Orange County deputy accused of illegally accessing the personal and professional profile information belonging to the lead Seminole County detective on the case and sharing that information with Guerrero De Aguasvivas’ husband Miguel Angel Aguasvivas.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2024
Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians.
—TIME, 22 Apr. 2024
An encyclopedic museum that brings together in one location art objects from every time and place, which had directed LACMA’s professional activities for half a century, was tossed overboard.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024
This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024
Because her estranged father, Davis (Brandon Victor Dixon), is a professional musician, Ali only begrudgingly learns to play the piano from her stern neighbor, Miss Lisa Jane (Kecia Lewis).
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 21 Apr. 2024
Sarah Levy Sarah Levy, who starred as the bubbly Café Tropical owner Twyla Sands, has had many professional and personal developments in the last few years.
—Ilana Frost, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2024
The couple have converged on professional similarities.
—Trilce Estrada Olvera, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
Noun
Beijing paired Chinese provinces with different countries and had the former send personal protective equipment and medical professionals to the latter.
—Elizabeth Economy, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
If any of the jurors need to be dismissed during the trial, they would be replaced by one of the six alternate jurors, including a woman who works in creative operations for a clothing company, a contract specialist, an audio professional, and an asset manager.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2024
Hearing the case is a jury that includes, among others, multiple lawyers, a sales professional, an investment banker and an English teacher.
—TIME, 22 Apr. 2024
Now the two women are continuing that work with a new independent venture, Industry Standard, a talent accelerator for early- to mid-career professionals.
—Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Apr. 2024
During the final round of adjudication, students are interviewed by a panel of distinguished artistic professionals and faculty members from Southern California universities.
—Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 21 Apr. 2024
Governor Jim Justice signed a bill on March 29, 2023, that bans medical professionals from prescribing hormone therapy and puberty blockers, as well as gender-affirming surgery.
—Danielle Marie Holland, Parents, 19 Apr. 2024
Regular film festival attendees may note that the BAFTA awards will, once again, be held during the Berlinale, set to run February 13-23, with their likely to be a spike in industry professional flying back to London on the morning of the 16th.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 19 Apr. 2024
That money aims to increase the number of mental health professionals in schools.
—Meg Anderson, NPR, 19 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'professional.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near professional
Cite this Entry
“Professional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/professional. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
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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