1. (noun)professional, professional person a person engaged in one of the learned professions
2. (noun)professional, pro an athlete who plays for pay
3. (noun)master, professional an authority qualified to teach apprentices
4. (adj)professional engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood "the professional man or woman possesses distinctive qualifications"; "began her professional career after the Olympics"; "professional theater"; "professional football"; "a professional cook"; "professional actors and athletes"
5. (adj)professional of or relating to or suitable as a profession "professional organizations"; "a professional field such as law"
6. (adj)professional characteristic of or befitting a profession or one engaged in a profession "professional conduct"; "professional ethics"; "a thoroughly professional performance"
7. (adj)professional of or relating to a profession "we need professional advice"; "professional training"; "professional equipment for his new office"
8. (adj)professional engaged in by members of a profession "professional occupations include medicine and the law and teaching"