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
TIME, 10 Apr. 2024
The couple have converged on professional similarities.
—Trilce Estrada Olvera, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
Robbins, the former owner of US Hockey League team Chicago Steel, has two adult sons who likely will play professional hockey in Europe next year.
Robbins and his wife, Sarahmay, have three children ages 8, 5 and 2.
—Amanda Gordon, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024
Advertisement California requires such decisions about mental health care to be based on criteria developed by professional groups, but the union said there was no evidence that was happening.
—Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
Few think of Idaho as fertile ground for developing professional baseball players.
—Michael Lycklama, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2024
The 1936-37 sports season was a banner year for Detroit's professional teams and athletes: The Tigers won the World Series, Joe Louis was the heavyweight boxing champion of the world, the Detroit Red Wings won their first Stanley Cup, and the Detroit Lions won its first National Championship.
—Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 9 Apr. 2024
It’s been 10 years since DJI introduced its Ronin series of cameras and stabilization accessories, and the company is marking the occasion with two new camera gimbals, targeting both independent video creators and professional studios.
—Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 9 Apr. 2024
On the latest episode of T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach’s podcast, the former professional dancer reflected on her decision to remarry after Swayze’s death.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2024
Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
These were young and healthy professionals, but the impact of sudden intense stress caused electrocardiographic (EKG) abnormalities in several of the firefighters and some of the EKG abnormalities were serious and could lead to complications.
—Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 11 Apr. 2024
Knobloch also said the Cannes Film Market has already lured more than 14,000 accredited professionals from 120 countries.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024
Mizuhara allegedly told Ohtani’s U.S.-based financial professionals, none of whom spoke Japanese, that Ohtani denied them access to the account, authorities said.
—Tony Saavedra, Orange County Register, 11 Apr. 2024
Our test kitchen professionals say don't have more than two.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2024
Younger working professional also felt the effects of loneliness in remote jobs.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 11 Apr. 2024
Young urban professionals also appear to be driving a surge in sales of lottery tickets, which reached a record 580 billion yuan ($80 billion) last year, according to data from the Finance Ministry.
—Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
The sleek but youthful aesthetic is one of the most striking in Denver, and thus, the property typically attracts young professionals who want all the perks of a global hospitality chain plus the cool factor that Thompson provides with its buzzing bars and restaurants.
—Chadner Navarro, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2024
Adjective
Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians.
—TIME, 10 Apr. 2024
The couple have converged on professional similarities.
—Trilce Estrada Olvera, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
Robbins, the former owner of US Hockey League team Chicago Steel, has two adult sons who likely will play professional hockey in Europe next year.
Robbins and his wife, Sarahmay, have three children ages 8, 5 and 2.
—Amanda Gordon, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024
Advertisement California requires such decisions about mental health care to be based on criteria developed by professional groups, but the union said there was no evidence that was happening.
—Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
Few think of Idaho as fertile ground for developing professional baseball players.
—Michael Lycklama, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2024
The 1936-37 sports season was a banner year for Detroit's professional teams and athletes: The Tigers won the World Series, Joe Louis was the heavyweight boxing champion of the world, the Detroit Red Wings won their first Stanley Cup, and the Detroit Lions won its first National Championship.
—Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 9 Apr. 2024
It’s been 10 years since DJI introduced its Ronin series of cameras and stabilization accessories, and the company is marking the occasion with two new camera gimbals, targeting both independent video creators and professional studios.
—Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 9 Apr. 2024
On the latest episode of T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach’s podcast, the former professional dancer reflected on her decision to remarry after Swayze’s death.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2024
Noun
Ohtani’s salary from playing professional baseball was deposited into this account and Mizuhara allegedly told Ohtani’s U.S.-based financial professionals, none of whom spoke Japanese, that Ohtani had denied them access .
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
These were young and healthy professionals, but the impact of sudden intense stress caused electrocardiographic (EKG) abnormalities in several of the firefighters and some of the EKG abnormalities were serious and could lead to complications.
—Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 11 Apr. 2024
Knobloch also said the Cannes Film Market has already lured more than 14,000 accredited professionals from 120 countries.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024
Mizuhara allegedly told Ohtani’s U.S.-based financial professionals, none of whom spoke Japanese, that Ohtani denied them access to the account, authorities said.
—Tony Saavedra, Orange County Register, 11 Apr. 2024
Our test kitchen professionals say don't have more than two.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2024
Younger working professional also felt the effects of loneliness in remote jobs.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 11 Apr. 2024
Young urban professionals also appear to be driving a surge in sales of lottery tickets, which reached a record 580 billion yuan ($80 billion) last year, according to data from the Finance Ministry.
—Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
The sleek but youthful aesthetic is one of the most striking in Denver, and thus, the property typically attracts young professionals who want all the perks of a global hospitality chain plus the cool factor that Thompson provides with its buzzing bars and restaurants.
—Chadner Navarro, Travel + Leisure, 9 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 16 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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