professor emeritus

USAGE SUMMARY

"professor emeritus" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a professor who has retired from a university but is still distinguished in that field. For example, "The keynote address at the conference was given by Professor Emeritus Edward Smith."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"I mean, he's a professor emeritus.

The New Yorker

He retired as professor emeritus in 1987.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was named professor emeritus in 1991.

The New York Times

He became professor emeritus in 1986.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Silliman retired in 1853 as professor emeritus.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Cole became professor emeritus in 1948.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Professor Emeritus C.W. Post Campus/LIU.

The New York Times

Kanas, Professor Emeritus Nick, M.D.

Springer

He retired as Professor Emeritus, Marine Science-Biology in 1993.

The New York Times

Professor Emeritus of Social Work, Arizona State University.

Huffington Post

Robert M. O'Neil University Professor Emeritus The University of Virginia.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a "professor emeritus", ensure they have officially retired but retain their title as an honor. Use the term only after the retirement has been formally recognized by the institution.

Common error

Avoid capitalizing "emeritus" unless it begins a sentence or is part of a proper noun. The correct form is "professor emeritus", not "Professor Emeritus" or "Professor emerita."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "professor emeritus" functions as a post-nominal title or honorific. It modifies the noun "professor", indicating a specific status of retirement with continued distinction. As Ludwig AI states, it designates a professor who has retired but is still recognized for their contributions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

40%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "professor emeritus" is used to describe a retired professor who retains an honorary title, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically correct and very common in academic and professional settings. When using "professor emeritus", ensure the professor has officially retired and the institution has formally recognized their retirement. Common contexts include academia, news and media, and encyclopedias. Remember to avoid capitalizing "emeritus" unless it starts a sentence. Alternatives include "retired professor" and "honorary professor", though these do not fully capture the same meaning. By understanding the nuances of "professor emeritus", you can use it accurately and effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emeritus faculty

Uses "faculty" instead of "professor", implying a broader range of academic staff.

adjunct professor emeritus

Specifies an adjunct role before retirement.

retired professor

Focuses solely on the retirement aspect, omitting the honorary status.

honorary professor

Emphasizes the honorary title but doesn't specify retirement.

distinguished professor

Highlights the professor's achievements but not their retirement status.

former professor

Simply indicates a past professorship, without implying honorary status.

university fellow

Denotes an honorary academic position but does not specifically indicate retirement or a professorship.

professor on leave

Indicates a temporary absence, not necessarily retirement.

regent professor

Implies a specific professorship title. Not about retirement status.

visiting professor

Indicates a temporary position, not retirement.

FAQs

How to use "professor emeritus" in a sentence?

You can use "professor emeritus" to describe a retired professor who retains an honorary title. For example, "The lecture was given by Professor Emeritus John Smith." It's used after the title of professor.

What's the difference between "professor emeritus" and "retired professor"?

"Retired professor" simply means a professor who has retired. "Professor emeritus" implies that the professor has retired but retains an honorary title and certain privileges within the university.

Can a woman be a "professor emeritus"?

Yes, although the feminine form "professora emerita" exists, "professor emeritus" is often used as a gender-neutral term. Some institutions might use "professora emerita" if the professor is female, but "professor emeritus" is widely accepted. Note that if the person prefers "professora emerita" you should absolutely use it.

What are the responsibilities of a "professor emeritus"?

The responsibilities of a "professor emeritus" vary by institution. They may include mentoring students, conducting research, serving on committees, or giving lectures, but they are not obligated to do so. Their involvement is typically voluntary and at their discretion.