professionally
gb/pɹəfˈɛʃənəli/ us/pɹəfˈɛʃənəli/
B1
English
~ 8000
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B1
property
1
in a skilled, businesslike way
In a way that is careful, skilled, and correct for work.
Usage pattern:
to [do something] professionally
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.
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.)
Collocations
handle [something] professionally
|act professionally
|behave professionally
|deal with [someone] professionally
|respond professionally
|manage [a situation] professionally
Themes
work
|business
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She handled the client’s complaint very professionally, even though he was shouting at her.
- The event was organized professionally and everything ran on time.
- 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.
- They answered all my questions very professionally.
- Please reply to the customer professionally and be polite.
- The company website looks very professionally designed.
- She solved the problem professionally and quickly.
adverb
B2
relation
2
in one’s role at work
About someone in their work life, not in their personal life.
Usage pattern:
to know [someone] professionally
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"*.
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.)
Collocations
know [someone] professionally
|connected professionally
|meet someone professionally
|work together professionally
|socially and professionally
|professionally and personally
Themes
work
|relationships
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We know each other professionally, but we’re not close friends.
- I’ve worked with her professionally for years and respect her a lot.
- 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.
- We met professionally at a conference last year.
- 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.
adverb
B2
relation
3
as a paid profession, not hobby
As your main paid job, not just for fun.
Usage pattern:
to [play/do/practice something] professionally
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.
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.)
Collocations
play professionally
|compete professionally
|sing professionally
|dance professionally
|cook professionally
|train professionally
Themes
work
|sports
|arts
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She plays the piano professionally and teaches at a music school.
- He started drawing as a child and now works professionally as an illustrator.
- 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.
- She sings professionally in a band.
- 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.
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.