professional
gb/pɹəfˈɛʃənəl/ us/pɹəfˈɛʃənəl/
B1
English
~ 2800
szakember, profi, szakmai, hivatásos, professzionális
NOUN
B1
1
Usage pattern:
a [professional] in [a field]
She is a highly respected medical professional.
Nagy tiszteletnek örvendő egészségügyi szakember.
Only a trained professional should handle these chemicals.
Ezeket a vegyszereket csak képzett szakember kezelheti.
As a financial professional, he advises clients on investments.
The company hired an IT professional to improve their systems.
Learner examples
My sister is a medical professional.
A nővérem egészségügyi szakember.
He wants to be a sports professional.
Hivatásos sportoló szeretne lenni.
We called a plumbing professional to fix the leak.
She is a computer professional.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'professional' with 'professor'; 'professional' refers to someone in a skilled job, not necessarily teaching.
Meaning
A person doing paid skilled work
Collocations
trained professional
|medical professional
|legal professional
|IT professional
Synonyms
expert (Focuses more on high level of skill or knowledge, not necessarily employment.)
|
specialist (Emphasizes a narrow area of expertise.)
Antonyms
amateur (Someone who does something for enjoyment, not for pay or as a career.)
Themes
business
|careers
|education
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Someone who is paid to do a job that needs special knowledge or skills.
A person who earns money by doing a job that requires special knowledge, training, or skill.
B1
2
Usage pattern:
[professional] [job/role/service]
She received professional training as a chef.
Szakácsként szakmai képzésben részesült.
He plays basketball at a professional level.
Profi szinten kosárlabdázik.
They offer professional cleaning services.
Professional standards must be followed at all times.
Learner examples
I need professional help with my taxes.
Szakmai segítségre van szükségem az adóbevallásomhoz.
He is a professional driver.
Ő hivatásos sofőr.
They gave me professional advice.
She wants professional training.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'professional' instead of more specific adjectives like 'skilled' or 'qualified'.
Meaning
Relating to skilled paid work
Collocations
professional advice
|professional athlete
|professional service
|professional qualifications
Synonyms
vocational (Relates to specific careers or trades, often used in education contexts.)
Antonyms
casual (In employment, refers to temporary or informal work without long-term commitment.)
Themes
business
|careers
|work
|education
Definition
About work that needs special training and is done for money.
Connected with a job that requires special training or education and is done for pay.
B2
3
profi
B1
Usage pattern:
to be [professional] in [situation]
She remained calm and professional during the meeting.
A megbeszélés alatt végig nyugodt és professzionális maradt.
His email was written in a very professional tone.
Az e-mailje nagyon professzionális hangnemben íródott.
We expect all staff to act professionally with clients.
Learner examples
He was very professional with the customer.
Nagyon professzionálisan viselkedett az ügyféllel.
Please stay professional during the interview.
Kérlek, viselkedj végig professzionálisan az interjún.
She spoke in a professional way.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'professional' here with 'formal'; being professional is not always the same as being formal.
Meaning
Competent and respectful work behavior
Collocations
highly professional manner
|stay professional
|look professional
Synonyms
businesslike (Focuses on efficiency and formality in behavior.)
Antonyms
unprofessional (Lacking the expected skill, respect, or responsibility in behavior.)
Themes
business
|communication
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Acting in a polite and skilled way at work.
Behaving in a way that shows skill, respect, and responsibility in a work setting.
Grammar
Dictionary form
professional
IPA
GB/pɹəfˈɛʃənəl/
US/pɹəfˈɛʃənəl/
Syllables & stress
pro - fes - sion - al (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (fes)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: professional
Noun
- Base: professional
- Plural: professionals
Word family
Forms
professionals
noun
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
professionalize
verb
professionalization
noun
Expressions
keep it professional
1/kˈip ˈɪt pɹəfˈɛʃənəl/
fixed phrase
informal
Stay respectful in work settings
To act politely and correctly, especially at work or in business.
Examples
- Even though they disagreed, they kept it professional during the meeting.
- Let's keep it professional when we talk to the client.
professional development
1/pɹəfˈɛʃənəl dɪvˈɛləpmənt/
fixed phrase
Training to improve work skills
Learning and training that help you do your job better.
Examples
- The company invests heavily in professional development for its employees.
- Teachers are encouraged to attend workshops as part of their professional development.
go pro
1/ɡˈoʊ pɹˈoʊ/
fixed phrase
informal
Start working for pay in a field
To start doing something as your paid job instead of as a hobby.
Examples
- After winning several tournaments, she decided to go pro.
- He went pro as a photographer last year.
go pro
2/ɡˈoʊ pɹˈoʊ/
fixed phrase
Become a paid professional
To start doing a sport or activity as your job instead of just for fun.
Examples
- After winning several tournaments, he decided to go pro.
- Many young athletes dream of going pro.