professional

pro-fes-sion-al · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Relating to or belonging to a profession.

  2. 2.

    Engaged in a specified activity as a paid occupation rather than as an amateur.

  3. 3.

    Having or showing the skill appropriate to a professional person; competent or skilled.

  4. 4.

    A person engaged in a specified profession.

  5. 5.

    A person who does something with great skill.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    professional development — Training to improve job skills.
  • •
    professional conduct — Behavior appropriate to one's profession.
  • •
    turn professional — Start doing something for pay rather than as a hobby.
  • •
    professional courtesy — Mutual respect between professionals.

Related words

Antonyms: amateur, amateurish, unprofessional
See also: amateur, expert, occupation, specialist
Synonyms: competent, expert, qualified, skilled

Etymology

From Medieval Latin professionalis, from Latin professio ("public declaration, profession"), from profiteri ("to declare publicly"), from pro ("forth") + fateri ("to acknowledge").