professionally
gb/pɹəfˈɛʃənəli/ us/pɹəfˈɛʃənəli/
B1
English
~ 8000
professzionálisan, szakszerűen, szakmailag, munka kapcsán, munkakapcsolatban, hivatásszerűen, főállásban, hivatásosként
B1
1
szakszerűen
B2
Usage pattern:
to [do something] professionally
She handled the client’s complaint very professionally, even though he was shouting at her.
Nagyon professzionálisan kezelte az ügyfél panaszát, bár az ügyfél kiabált vele.
The event was organized professionally and everything ran on time.
Az eseményt professzionálisan szervezték meg, és minden időben zajlott.
If you want to be taken seriously, you need to dress and communicate professionally.
The report is written professionally, with clear structure and no spelling mistakes.
He stayed calm and spoke professionally during the difficult interview.
Learner examples
The manager spoke to the team professionally.
A vezető professzionálisan beszélt a csapattal.
They answered all my questions very professionally.
Nagyon professzionálisan válaszoltak minden kérdésemre.
Please reply to the customer professionally and be polite.
The company website looks very professionally designed.
She solved the problem professionally and quickly.
Common mistake:
Learners often say *"He handled it very professional"* instead of *"He handled it very professionally"*. Remember: *professional* is an adjective (a professional person), and *professionally* is an adverb (do something professionally). Another mistake is using *professionally* where *politely* or *formally* would be better; *professionally* always suggests a work or job context.
Meaning
in a skilled, businesslike way
Collocations
handle [something] professionally
|act professionally
|behave professionally
|deal with [someone] professionally
|respond professionally
|manage [a situation] professionally
Synonyms
competently (Focuses on ability and skill, without the specific idea of work or a profession.)
|
skillfully (Emphasizes technical skill more than overall work attitude and standards.)
Antonyms
unprofessionally (Direct opposite; suggests careless, rude, or unsuitable behavior for a work setting.)
|
amateurishly (Suggests low quality or lack of experience, often outside a professional context.)
Themes
work
|business
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In a way that is careful, skilled, and correct for work.
In a way that shows high skill, responsibility, and proper standards expected in a profession.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
to know [someone] professionally
We know each other professionally, but we’re not close friends.
Munkakapcsolatban állunk egymással, de nem vagyunk közeli barátok.
I’ve worked with her professionally for years and respect her a lot.
Évek óta munkakapcsolatban állok vele, és nagyon tisztelem.
Professionally, he’s a lawyer, but he also paints in his free time.
They are connected professionally through the same marketing agency.
I admire her both professionally and personally.
Learner examples
I only know him professionally, not as a friend.
Csak munkakapcsolatban állok vele, nem barátként ismerem.
We met professionally at a conference last year.
Tavaly munka kapcsán találkoztunk egy konferencián.
Professionally, she is an engineer.
They are related professionally, because they work for the same company.
We speak often, but only professionally, about work topics.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse *professionally* with *profession* and say things like *"My professionally is teacher"* instead of *"My profession is teaching"* or *"I am a teacher"*. Another mistake is using *professionally* where *at work* or *in my job* is clearer, for example writing *"Professionally, I am stressed"* instead of *"At work I am stressed"*.
Meaning
in one’s role at work
Collocations
know [someone] professionally
|connected professionally
|meet someone professionally
|work together professionally
|socially and professionally
|professionally and personally
Synonyms
occupationally (More technical and rare; mainly used in academic or HR contexts, not in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
personally (Contrasts professional/work relationships with private or emotional relationships.)
Themes
work
|relationships
|business
|core_vocabulary
Definition
About someone in their work life, not in their personal life.
With reference to a person’s job or career, as opposed to their private or social life.
B2
3
Usage pattern:
to [play/do/practice something] professionally
She plays the piano professionally and teaches at a music school.
Hivatásszerűen zongorázik, és egy zeneiskolában tanít.
He started drawing as a child and now works professionally as an illustrator.
Gyerekként kezdett rajzolni, most pedig hivatásos illusztrátorként dolgozik.
Before he competed professionally, he was just playing in local amateur leagues.
They both dance professionally in a touring ballet company.
I cook professionally, but I still enjoy making simple food at home.
Learner examples
He plays football professionally for a big club.
Hivatásos futballistaként játszik egy nagy klubban.
She sings professionally in a band.
Hivatásos énekesként énekel egy zenekarban.
My brother cooks professionally in a hotel kitchen.
I want to write professionally when I finish school.
She used to swim professionally when she was younger.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"He is a footballer professional"* instead of *"He is a professional footballer"* or *"He plays football professionally"*. Remember that *professional* is usually before the noun (a professional player), and *professionally* comes after the verb (plays professionally). Another mistake is using *professionally* for any paid work, even small side jobs; it usually suggests a main career or high-level activity.
Meaning
as a paid profession, not hobby
Collocations
play professionally
|compete professionally
|sing professionally
|dance professionally
|cook professionally
|train professionally
Synonyms
for a living (Informal phrase that clearly means as your main paid work, without stressing standards or status.)
Antonyms
as a hobby (Highlights doing something for pleasure in free time, without being paid as a main job.)
Themes
work
|sports
|arts
|business
|core_vocabulary
Definition
As your main paid job, not just for fun.
As a main paid occupation, rather than as a hobby or for fun.
Grammar
Dictionary form
professionally
IPA
GB/pɹəfˈɛʃənəli/
US/pɹəfˈɛʃənəli/
Syllables & stress
pro - fes - sion - ally (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (fes)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: professionally
- Plural: professionallies
Word family
Forms
professionallies
noun
Core family
profession
noun B1
professional
adjective B1
Related words
professionalism
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
unprofessional
adjective
unprofessionally
adverb
Advanced or less common
professionalize
verb
professionalization
noun
Expressions
act professionally
1/ˈækt pɹəfˈɛʃənəli/
fixed phrase
behave in a professional way
To behave in a calm, polite, and correct way that is right for work.
Examples
- Even when you are angry, you must act professionally in front of clients.
- The coach told the team to act professionally on and off the field.
behave professionally
1/bɪhˈeɪv pɹəfˈɛʃənəli/
fixed phrase
show proper behavior at work
To act in a way that is correct and respectful for the workplace.
Examples
- Employees are expected to behave professionally at all times.
- If you behave professionally, people will trust you more at work.
handle things professionally
1/hˈændəl θˈɪŋz pɹəfˈɛʃənəli/
fixed phrase
manage situations in a professional way
To deal with problems or situations in a calm, skilled, and correct way for work.
Examples
- She handled things professionally when the project went wrong.
- If you handle things professionally, customers will stay with your company.
professionally speaking
1/pɹəfˈɛʃənəli spˈikɪŋ/
fixed phrase
from a professional point of view
Used before giving an opinion that comes from your work knowledge or training, not your personal feelings.
Examples
- Professionally speaking, I would not recommend this treatment.
- Professionally speaking, the design is strong, but personally I don’t like the color.