professional

pro|fes|sion|al1 [ prə`fəʃənl ] adjective ***

1. ) relating to work that needs special skills and qualifications:

Every applicant is entitled to good professional advice.

Teachers must be free to exercise their professional judgment.

a ) showing a high level of skill or training:

the firm with the most professional approach to marketing

very/highly/thoroughly professional: I congratulate you on a thoroughly professional job, done in difficult conditions.

b ) behaving in an appropriate way at work and doing your job well:

The whole cast was very professional and hard working in rehearsals.

They want me to dress in a more professional way.

─ opposite UNPROFESSIONAL

2. ) relating to a profession and its rules, standards, and arrangements:

The school prepares students for a wide range of professional qualifications.

professional organizations/bodies/associations

a ) working in a profession:

managerial and professional employees

3. ) relating to your work or career:

We have a good professional relationship, but I wouldn't say we're friends.

4. ) playing a sport or doing an activity as a job rather than for enjoyment:

a professional actor/football player/photographer

a ) played or done as a job rather than for enjoyment:

professional baseball

b ) go/turn professional to start to play a sport or game as a job that you get paid for:

She went professional at the age of thirteen.

─ opposite AMATEUR

a professional... INFORMAL

someone who always behaves in a particular way:

a professional cynic

professional

pro|fes|sion|al 2 [ prə`feʃnəl ] noun count **

1. ) someone who has special skills and qualifications:

doctors and other professionals

All healthcare professionals need to work closely with families.

2. ) someone who plays a sport or does an activity as a job rather than for enjoyment

a ) someone whose job is to teach people to play a sport at a club:

a tennis/golf professional

─ opposite AMATEUR

3. ) someone who has a lot of skill or training:

You have the makings of a real professional.

─ opposite AMATEUR