Origin: Latin suffix -al
Professional has 10 different meanings across 2 categories:
a person engaged in one of the learned professions
"The university's alumni association invited several professional doctors and lawyers to speak at the career fair."
an athlete who plays for pay
"The stadium was packed with fans hoping to see their favorite professional play in the championship game tonight."
an authority qualified to teach apprentices
"The master carpenter, a true professional in his trade, took on three new apprentices this week to learn the craft from him."
A person who belongs to a profession
"The professional architect arrived at the site early to inspect the foundation before the contractors began work."
In plain English: A professional is someone who does a specific job for money and takes it very seriously.
"She hired a professional to fix the leak in her kitchen."
Usage: Use "professional" as a noun to refer to someone who practices a skilled occupation requiring special training or education, such as a doctor, lawyer, or engineer. Avoid using it simply to mean any worker, as the term implies a specific level of expertise and formal qualifications.
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"
of or relating to or suitable as a profession
"professional organizations"
"a professional field such as law"
characteristic of or befitting a profession or one engaged in a profession
"professional conduct"
"professional ethics"
"a thoroughly professional performance"
of or relating to a profession
"we need professional advice"
"professional training"
"professional equipment for his new office"
engaged in by members of a profession
"professional occupations include medicine and the law and teaching"
Of, pertaining to, or in accordance with the (usually high) standards of a profession.
"The surgeon performed an exceptionally professional operation that left no room for error."
In plain English: Professional means doing something with skill and care so that you are good at it and people trust you to get the job done right.
"She is a professional who always arrives on time for her clients."
Usage: Use "professional" to describe work that meets high industry standards or someone who performs duties skillfully and seriously, rather than as a hobbyist. Avoid confusing it with simply being employed; even a casual job can be professional if done competently.
The word professional comes from Middle English terms meaning "pertaining to a profession." It entered the language as an adjective describing someone who practices a specific trade or occupation.