a professional dancer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a professional dancer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who dances as a career or has received formal training in dance. Example: "After years of hard work and dedication, she finally became a professional dancer, performing in prestigious theaters around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Are you a professional dancer?

Nature

I was a professional dancer.

The New York Times - Magazine

Everyone else was a professional dancer.

The Guardian - Film

However briefly, Lucia was a professional dancer.

The New Yorker

She dreams of becoming a professional dancer.

The Guardian - Film

She assumed she was destined to be a professional dancer.

The New York Times

I was going to be a professional dancer.

The New York Times

"It looked like a professional dancer on the rocks.

The New York Times - Sports

Ms. Zhou had yearned to be a professional dancer.

The New York Times - Arts

"You had to sign in," like a professional dancer.

The New Yorker

Robin Windsor is a professional dancer who grew up in Ipswich and lives in London.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "a professional dancer", ensure the context clarifies the genre or style of dance if relevant (e.g., ballet, contemporary, hip-hop).

Common error

Avoid labeling someone as "a professional dancer" if they are an amateur or hobbyist. Professional status implies that the individual earns a living from dancing or has undergone extensive formal training.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a professional dancer" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It identifies an individual whose occupation or career involves dancing. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a professional dancer" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe someone who dances as a profession. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples from diverse sources, including news outlets and academic publications, confirms its widespread and appropriate usage. The phrase carries a neutral register and effectively conveys information about an individual's career or skill. Related phrases like "a skilled dancer" or "a dance professional" can offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dance professional

Uses a more formal term for someone who dances professionally.

an expert dancer

Highlights the dancer's expertise and mastery.

a skilled dancer

Focuses on the dancer's skill level.

a stage dancer

Focuses on the professional aspect of dancing performed on a stage.

a trained dancer

Emphasizes the dancer's formal training.

a seasoned dancer

Indicates extensive experience in dancing.

a principal dancer

Refers to a dancer holding a leading position in a dance company.

a ballet dancer

Specifies a type of professional dancer specializing in ballet.

a Broadway dancer

Specifies a type of professional dancer working in Broadway productions.

a performing artist

Widens the scope, including other performance arts in addition to dancing.

FAQs

How can I use "a professional dancer" in a sentence?

You can use "a professional dancer" to describe someone who earns a living by dancing. For example, "She is "a professional dancer" with the New York City Ballet."

What are some alternatives to saying "a professional dancer"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a skilled dancer", "a dance professional", or specify the type of dancer such as "a ballet dancer".

Is it correct to say "a professional dancer" or should it be "an professional dancer"?

The correct form is "a professional dancer" because the word "professional" begins with a consonant sound. The article "a" is used before consonant sounds, while "an" is used before vowel sounds.

What's the difference between "a professional dancer" and "a skilled dancer"?

"A professional dancer" implies that the person earns money or is employed as a dancer, whereas "a skilled dancer" simply indicates a high level of ability, regardless of employment status.