professional Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a person engaged in one of the learned professions
    professional person.
  2. noun an athlete who plays for pay
    pro.
  3. noun an authority qualified to teach apprentices
    master.
  4. adjective engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood
    • the professional man or woman possesses distinctive qualifications
    • began her professional career after the Olympics
    • professional theater
    • professional football
    • a professional cook
    • professional actors and athletes
  5. adjective of or relating to or suitable as a profession
    • professional organizations
    • a professional field such as law
  6. adjective characteristic of or befitting a profession or one engaged in a profession
    • professional conduct
    • professional ethics
    • a thoroughly professional performance
  7. adjective of or relating to a profession
    • we need professional advice
    • professional training
    • professional equipment for his new office
  8. adjective satellite engaged in by members of a profession
    • professional occupations include medicine and the law and teaching

WordNet

Pro*fes"sion*al adjective
Definitions
  1. Of or pertaining to a profession, or calling; conforming to the rules or standards of a profession; following a profession; as, professional knowledge; professional conduct. "Pride, not personal, but professional." Macaulay. "A professional sneerer." De Quincey.
  2. Engaged in by professionals; as, a professional race; -- opposed to amateur.
Pro*fes"sion*al noun
Definitions
  1. A person who prosecutes anything professionally, or for a livelihood, and not in the character of an amateur; a professional worker.

Webster 1913