professionally

UK: /prəˈfɛʃ^ənəli/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

pro•fes•sion•al /prəˈfɛʃənəl/   adj. 

1. engaged in an occupation as a means of earning a livelihood:
   [before a noun] a professional soldier; a professional musician.
2. relating to a profession:
   a professional license.
3. appropriate to a profession:
   showing professional objectivity; He's too professional to let his personal feelings interfere with his work.
4. of or for a professional person or such a person's place of business:
   [before a noun] a professional apartment.
5. done by a professional;
   expert;
   of a high standard:
   [before a noun] professional advice.
6. making a constant practice of something:
   [before a noun] A salesman has to be a professional optimist.

n. [countable]

7. a member of a profession.
8. a person who earns a living in a sport or other occupation that is frequently engaged in by amateurs.

pro•fes•sion•al•ly, adv. See -fess-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

pro•fes•sion•al  (prə fesh′ə nl), adj. 

1. following an occupation as a means of livelihood or for gain:
   a professional builder.
2. of, pertaining to, or connected with a profession:
   professional studies.
3. appropriate to a profession:
   professional objectivity.
4. engaged in one of the learned professions:
   A lawyer is a professional person.
5. following as a business an occupation ordinarily engaged in as a pastime:
   a professional golfer.
6. making a business or constant practice of something not properly to be regarded as a business:
   "A salesman,'' he said, "is a professional optimist.''
7. undertaken or engaged in as a means of livelihood or for gain:
   professional baseball.
8. of or for a professional person or his or her place of business or work:
   a professional apartment; professional equipment.
9. done by a professional;
   expert:
   professional car repairs.

n. 

10. a person who belongs to one of the professions, esp. one of the learned professions.
11. a person who earns a living in a sport or other occupation frequently engaged in by amateurs:
    a golf professional.
12. an expert player, as of golf or tennis, serving as a teacher, consultant, performer, or contestant;
    pro.
13. a person who is expert at his or her work:
    You can tell by her comments that this editor is a real professional.

• profession + -al¹ 1740–50

pro•fes′sion•al•ly, adv.