professional

pruh-FESH-uh-nuhl/pɹəˈfɛʃənəl/

7 meanings of professional

1
done for a livingadjective
Done as a paid job rather than just for fun.
He turned professional after winning the local contest.
She sang for fun for years before starting a professional career.
UsageYou turn professional when you start to get paid for it.
Similarpaid, pro
Oppositeamateur, unpaid
2
businesslikeadjective
Done with the skill, care, and good behavior you expect from a trained expert.
Like a chef who keeps everything clean and follows every rule.
Her work was always neat, careful, and professional.
They handled the complaint in a calm, professional way.
UsageYou can say very professional about good, careful work.
Similarcompetent, polished, businesslike, expert, skilled
Oppositeunprofessional, amateurish, sloppy, incompetent
Note
3
qualified workernouncountable
A person who works in a job that needs special training or study.
Like a doctor or teacher who studied for years before starting work.
Every professional in the room had years of training behind them.
Doctors and lawyers are professionals who must follow strict rules.
Similarpractitioner, specialist, expert
Oppositelayperson, layman
Note
4
earns a livingnouncountable
Someone who earns money doing a certain activity as their job.
Like a singer who is paid to perform instead of singing just for fun.
He played golf just for fun before he became a professional.
The best professionals earn money from the sport they love.
UsageUsually say the job first: an IT professional, a golf professional.
Similarpro
Oppositeamateur
Note
5
skilled personnouncountable
A person who is very good at something.
Like someone who can do a hard job so smoothly it looks easy.
When it comes to fixing engines, she's a real professional.
He packed every box neatly, like a professional.
UsagePeople often say a real professional to praise someone.
Similarexpert, pro, master, virtuoso, ace
Oppositeamateur, novice, beginner
Note

Less common meanings

6
sex workernouneuphemisticcountable
A polite, indirect word for a prostitute.
She hinted that she was a professional who charged men by the hour.
When she named her price for the night, he finally understood she was a professional.
Similarprostitute, escort
Note
7
nounrare
A sociologist who works mainly to build up and promote the field of sociology.

Practice

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Origin

It comes from an older English word and is made from "profession" plus "-al".

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

The word comes from an earlier English form. en.wiktionary.org
The word is made from profession plus -al. en.wiktionary.org