professional

1 of 2

adjective

pro·​fes·​sion·​al prə-ˈfesh-nəl How to pronounce professional (audio)
-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

professional

2 of 2

noun

: 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
Adjective
Early in her career, Erin worked as a prop stylist, production designer, and professional organizer while simultaneously freelance writing about DIY and interior design trends for several lifestyle sites. Erin Johnson, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 Plus, hear hacks from professional organizers on maximizing counter space, Maintaining your home: Necessary home maintenance can save your thousands in the long run. Rachel Kurzius, Washington Post, 5 Mar. 2024 In his professional athletic career, Redwine qualified for five-consecutive U.S. Olympic Trials between 1980 and 1996, while also competing for Team USA at the World Championships in 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991 and 1993. Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2024 The film follows a down and out actor living in Tokyo, who is hired as the token American guy for a Japanese rental family company providing professional stand-in services. Brent Lang, Variety, 5 Mar. 2024 Ten years ago, Jeffries was the man in the proverbial ring, hired to bring a professional soccer team back to the Queen City. Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2024 Experts say adjustable timing around volunteering opportunities for employees is also key, and companies should think about offering flexible scheduling for employees looking to give back, including time off, or opportunities to offer their professional skills pro bono. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2024 Bier, 37, is director of security platform experience at Microsoft and has worked in legal tech for her entire professional career. Bill Chappell, NPR, 4 Mar. 2024 Since 2022, The county and Foothill-De Anza Community College District have been working together since 2022 on developing a health clinic that will also support the district’s healthcare professional programs and curriculum. Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2024
Noun
As a result, healthcare professionals are fielding a steady stream of questions from patients who are curious about what magnesium can do for them. Adam Markovitz, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Hilton Head Island, South Carolina: Despite what Bravo promotes, Hilton Head Island in South Carolina isn’t only for housewives and reality television professionals. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 4 Mar. 2024 In Boston, Charity Wallace, 37, a biotech professional, and Chassity Coston, 35, a middle school principal, reflected on their own career struggles in light of Gay’s ordeal. Terry Tang, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2024 Miller recommends seeking a mental health professional’s help if your body image issues disrupt your daily life. Katie Camero, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024 The guidance of a mental health professional could be highly beneficial in such cases. Mark Travers, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments. Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Mar. 2024 Four years later, after her high school graduation, Clark entered the real estate business and worked her way up to become a licensed professional in south Florida. Linda Marx, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 As our January 2024 Workforce Report at iCIMS indicates, 51% of professionals are considering a new job this year. Laura Coccaro, Forbes, 23 Feb. 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.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1811, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of professional was in 1606

Dictionary Entries Near professional

Cite this Entry

“Professional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/professional. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

professional

1 of 2 adjective
pro·​fes·​sion·​al prə-ˈfesh-nəl How to pronounce professional (audio)
-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

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 How to pronounce professional (audio)
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 adverb

professional

2 of 2 noun
: a person who is professional
especially : a person who engages in a pursuit or activity professionally
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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