professional

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "professional" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's job or occupation, or to describe the way someone performs a specific task. For example: "He is a professional accountant who always provides excellent services to his customers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Join the Guardian Public Leaders Network free to receive regular emails on the issues at the top of the professional agenda.

The Guardian

Very professional.

The New York Times - Sports

Confessions of a charity professional is the Guardian Voluntary Sector Network's anonymous series where charity workers tell it how it is.

The Guardian

You have to be professional".

The New York Times - Sports

After the final dinner, we gathered around a campfire to listen to drumming and singing by professional Berber musicians.

The Guardian - Travel

The academic Alison Wolf has done some fascinating research showing that countries with very good prospects for professional women also have extremely high - 90%-plus - proportions of women doing the very low-paid care work.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The papers were full of pessimistic predictions regarding Javier Zanetti's future in professional football after the 39-year-old tore his Achilles tendon during Inter's defeat to Palermo last month.

The Guardian - Sport

Marco Materazzi might have retired from playing football, but his career as professional antagonist is still going strong.

The Guardian - Sport

Out of my depth, and committed to a professional political engagement I no longer believe in, I suddenly have every sympathy for David Cameron.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We can offer a space for shy students to reflect on their experience," says a university spokeswoman, "along with structured time with professional emotional practitioners to explore possible contexts of their shyness, and practical tips and tools, such as mindfulness and CBT".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Chance would be a fine thing – in his pre-professional days Stokes once broke a bone attacking a fire door, so this was not even a first offence.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "professional", ensure you can provide specific examples of their behavior, skills, or qualifications that support this assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "professional" as a generic term for anyone in a workplace; reserve it for individuals who consistently demonstrate expertise, ethical conduct, and a commitment to excellence.

Linguistic Context

The word "professional" functions primarily as an adjective to describe someone's conduct, work ethic, or expertise, or as a noun to refer to a person who earns a living from a specific activity. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "professional" is a versatile word, frequently used as both an adjective and a noun. Ludwig AI underlines its common use in various contexts, including News & Media and Formal & Business settings, to describe competence, skill, and adherence to high standards. When writing, it's crucial to ensure your usage clearly reflects these qualities and to avoid overgeneralization. For alternative expressions, consider options such as "skilled" or "expert" depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Remember, demonstrating a "professional" demeanor requires consistent and specific examples of expertise and ethical conduct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

master

Suggests a very high level of skill.

expert

Highlights a high level of knowledge or proficiency in a specific field.

proficient

Suggests a high degree of skill and competence in a particular area.

skilled

Focuses on the possession of specific skills or expertise in a particular area.

competent

Indicates the ability to perform tasks effectively and efficiently.

adept

Implies a natural talent or skill in performing a specific task.

qualified

Emphasizes the possession of necessary qualifications or credentials for a job or task.

accomplished

Highlights achievements and successes in a particular field or profession.

experienced

Highlights the accumulation of practical knowledge and skills over time.

seasoned

Emphasizes extensive experience and expertise gained over a long period.

FAQs

How can I use "professional" in a sentence?

You can use "professional" to describe someone's job (e.g., "He is a professional writer"), their conduct (e.g., "She handled the situation in a professional manner"), or the quality of their work (e.g., "The presentation was very professional").

What are some synonyms for "professional"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "skilled", "expert", "qualified", or "experienced".

Which is correct, "professional" or "profeshional"?

"Professional" is the correct spelling. "Profeshional" is a misspelling.

What's the difference between "professional" and "amateur"?

A "professional" is someone who earns a living from a particular activity, while an "amateur" engages in that activity for pleasure or as a hobby, without financial compensation.