professional English · revision 2608

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=mid-15th century}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /prəˈfeʃ.ən.əl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed [[af|en|profession|-al]].^(SOED 2002)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Relating to the profession of vows in a religious order: the mid-15th century, as profeshinalle,^(Etymonline) about 1420 in the OED,^(OED 1989) a rare sense only in late Middle English.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Of careers, “pertaining to a profession or calling”, it is by 1747,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and of the skilled or learned professions from 1793.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Merriam-Webster gives 1606.^(MWU 2024)^(MW Collegiate) One who follows an occupation as a livelihood is ''professional'' from 1798,^(OED 1989) and the noun, a professional person, is from 1798 in Etymonline^(Etymonline) or 1811 in Merriam-Webster.^(MWU 2024) In sports and amusements, “engaged in for money”, as opposed to amateur, it is by 1846^(Etymonline) or 1851.^(OED 1989) It is used disparagingly of someone who relentlessly pursues an activity, as in ''a professional patriot'', from 1879,^(OED 1989) and “of the standard expected of a professional” from 1926.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1420 – of religious vows.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1606 – first known use in Merriam-Webster.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1747 – relating to a profession.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1798 – noun, a professional person.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1846 – in sport, for money.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1879 – disparaging use.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1926 – of a professional standard.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Relating to or engaged in a [[profession]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # Doing something for payment rather than as an [[amateur]].^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # Having or showing the skill and standards of a professional.^(OED 1989)

+ # ''(disparaging)'' Habitually engaged in an activity: ''a professional complainer''.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person who works in a profession.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # A person paid to take part in a sport or activity.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[professionally]]

+ * [[extraprofessional]]

+ * [[interprofessional]]

+ * [[nonprofessional]]

+ * [[paraprofessional]]

+ * [[preprofessional]]

+ * [[professionalism]]

+ * [[professionalize]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[profession]]

+ * [[profess]]

+ * [[professor]]

+ * [[pro]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}