professional
adjective
pro·fes·sion·al
| \ prə-ˈfesh-nəl
, -ˈfe-shə-nᵊl\
, -ˈfe-shə-nᵊl\
Definition of professional
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: 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
2a
: 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
professional
nounDefinition of professional (Entry 2 of 2)
: one that is professional
especially
: one that engages in a pursuit or activity professionally
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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
Walth said her clients wanted their birth shot for the same reason most people hire a professional to capture their wedding. — Los Angeles Times, "One more big push, then just say cheese!: High-end photographers enter delivery rooms," 16 Aug. 2019 In addition to improving their interpersonal skills, Pawsitive Change provides inmates with valuable career skills—a number of participants go on to work as professional dog trainers after their release. — Wired, "The Smart Prison Initiative Pairing Inmates With Rescue Dogs," 16 Aug. 2019 Last month, an ethics panel for Washington, D.C.’s attorney discipline system recommended suspension of Klayman’s law license for 33 months over allegations of professional misconduct contained in a 183-page report. — Maria Halkias, Dallas News, "Police sergeant sues Dallas Morning News, others over story on fallen officers fundraising," 15 Aug. 2019 Nicholas Mongiardo-Cooper, as Stan Ross, leads the cast of 26, a mix of established professional actors (nine are members of Actors’ Equity Association) and 13 students at The San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts. — Elizabeth Marie Himchak, Pomerado News, "REVIEW: SD REP’s new show is a delightful look at music history," 14 Aug. 2019 All of that was a breeze for Cutting because McDermott was a consummate professional throughout the entire process. — Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, "Vikings’ Austin Cutting gets job and view of how to handle getting cut like a pro," 12 Aug. 2019 Sue Gordon is a great professional with a long and distinguished career. — Jennifer Jacobs, Fortune, "Deputy DNI Sue Gordon to Resign With Boss Dan Coats," 8 Aug. 2019 With the help of his lawyer, Justin Brooks, and the California Innocence Project, Banks is released and sets forth to follow his dream of playing professional football. — Guy Hanford, Ramona Sentinel, "Flickers: ‘Brian Banks’ and ‘The Kitchen’ open Friday," 8 Aug. 2019 For a homeowner stuck in a heat wave, there’s nothing worse than a major HVAC issue that takes your system completely out of commission until a professional can fix it. — Michael Boyce, The Courier-Journal, "A healthy HVAC system is your best recipe for beating the heat," 30 July 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Users choose a food style (Keto, quick, low-carb, etc.), and receive a weekly selection of delicious recipes developed by food professionals that are ready to make at home. — Birmingham Magazine, al, "4 questions with local meal planning business eMeals," 15 Aug. 2019 The awards, which recognize the best in comics and adaptations, are voted on from the nominations by industry professionals. — Michael Cavna, Washington Post, "New York Comic Con’s Harvey Award nominations show streaming services gaining ground," 14 Aug. 2019 But that idea, too, has been met with backlash by security professionals who say the personal privacy of U.S. citizens would be sacrificed. — Fox News, "Domestic terrorist hunt: Who's going to catch them and how?," 6 Aug. 2019 The officer is alert and currently being seen by medical professionals. — Travis Andersen, BostonGlobe.com, "Suffolk jail officer attacked in attempted robbery on way to work," 1 Aug. 2019 These Best Practices were carefully developed by Texas Law Enforcement professionals to assist agencies in the efficient and effective delivery of service and the protection of individual’s rights. — Roy Kent, Houston Chronicle, "West University Place Police Department receives ‘recognized’ law enforcement agency honor from the Texas Law Enforcement Recognition Program," 31 July 2019 Ensuring that people with mental illnesses get treated by health care professionals instead of police officers seems like a no-brainer. — Matt Ford, The New Republic, "Biden’s Big, Obvious Ideas for Criminal-Justice Reform," 24 July 2019 The Martha & the Vandellas original ranked No. 3 in Detroit's 100 Greatest Songs, a 2016 Free Press project with voting by music professionals and the public. — Brian Mccollum, Detroit Free Press, "WATCH: The Struts put a glam-rock spin on 'Dancing in the Street' ahead of Fillmore visit," 18 July 2019 Of course, he was helped on his way by some world class professionals who already knew how to win - particularly in his spell as Scotland boss throughout the late 70s and 80s. — SI.com, "Jock Stein: Big Jock's All-Time Best XI," 10 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'professional.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for professional
professional
adjective
English Language Learners Definition of professional
(Entry 1 of 2)
: relating to a job that requires special education, training, or skill
: done or given by a person who works in a particular profession
: paid to participate in a sport or activity
professional
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of professional (Entry 2 of 2)
: someone who does a job that requires special training, education, or skill : someone who is a member of a profession
: someone who is paid to participate in a sport or activity
: someone who has a lot of experience or skill in a particular job or activity
See the full definition for professional in the English Language Learners Dictionary
professional
adjective
pro·fes·sion·al
| \ prə-ˈfe-shə-nᵊl
\
\
Kids Definition of professional
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: relating to an occupation : of or as an expert
professional advice
2
: taking part in an activity (as a sport) in order to make money
3
: participated in by people who are paid to compete
professional sports
4
: having or showing a quality appropriate in a profession
He did a very professional job.