professionals definition | Dictionary.com

pro⋅fes⋅sion⋅al

[pruh-fesh-uh-nl]

–adjective

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.

–noun

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.

Origin:
1740–50; profession + -al ¹

Related forms:

pro⋅fes⋅sion⋅al⋅ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pro·fes·sion·al (prə-fěsh'ə-nəl)

adj.

1. Of, relating to, engaged in, or suitable for a profession: lawyers, doctors, and other professional people.
2. Conforming to the standards of a profession: professional behavior.
Engaging in a given activity as a source of livelihood or as a career: a professional writer.
Performed by persons receiving pay: professional football.
Having or showing great skill; expert: a professional repair job.

A person following a profession, especially a learned profession.
One who earns a living in a given or implied occupation: hired a professional to decorate the house.
A skilled practitioner; an expert.

pro·fes'sion·al·ly adv.

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