adjective / noun
professional
Relating to paid skilled work, or a person who does such work.
She works as a professional photographer for a local newspaper.
Etymology
Professional comes from profession, which developed from declared vocation into a skilled occupation. It describes the work of that occupation or someone engaged in it for a living.
More examples
- Hire a professional to repair the faulty wiring.
- The hospital recruits experienced health care professionals.
- He leaves amateur baseball to join a professional team.
Forms
professional · professionals
profession noun — An occupation requiring specialized knowledge or training.
professionally adverb — As part of paid, skilled work.
Similar words
- expert
- Emphasizes extensive knowledge or skill, not necessarily paid work.
- practitioner
- Names someone actively working in a profession, especially medicine.