B1adjective & noun1000 most common words

professional: meaning, pronunciation and examples

/prəˈfɛʃənəl/·pruh-FESH-uh-nul

Professional (adjective) means connected with a job that needs special training or skill.

What does “professional” mean?

  1. 1

    adjectiveconnected with a job that needs special training or skill

    You should get professional advice before investing.
  2. 2

    adjectivedoing something as a paid job rather than as a hobby

    He became a professional soccer player at 18.
  3. 3

    nouna person who does a skilled job, or who works in a skilled and careful way

    Leave the wiring to a professional.

Professional at a glance

Part of speech
adjective & noun
CEFR level
B1 (intermediate)
Pronunciation
/prəˈfɛʃənəl/ · pruh-FESH-uh-nul

How to use “professional” correctly

“Professional” can also describe behavior: “That was very professional” means skilled, polite and serious.

Common phrases with “professional”

  • professional advice
  • health professional
  • professional athlete
  • turn professional

Antonyms (opposite meaning)

  • amateur
  • unprofessional

Word family

  • profession
  • professionally
  • professionalism
  • unprofessional

“professional” is on these word lists

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