professional meaning and definition

PROFESSIONAL noun

Definition of professional (noun)

1. a person engaged in one of the learned professions
   • synonyms: professional person
2. an athlete who plays for pay
   • synonyms: pro
   • antonym: amateur
3. an authority qualified to teach apprentices
   • synonyms: master

PROFESSIONAL adjective

Definition of professional (adjective)

1. 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"
   • antonym: nonprofessional
2. of or relating to or suitable as a profession
   • "professional organizations"; "a professional field such as law"
3. characteristic of or befitting a profession or one engaged in a profession
   • "professional conduct"; "professional ethics"; "a thoroughly professional performance"
   • antonym: unprofessional
4. of or relating to a profession
   • "we need professional advice"; "professional training"; "professional equipment for his new office"
5. engaged in by members of a profession
   • "professional occupations include medicine and the law and teaching"