professional in WordNet English dictionary

1. an authority qualified to teach apprentices
   master  professional 
   
2. an athlete who plays for pay
   professional  pro 
   
3. a person engaged in one of the learned professions
   professional  professional person 
   

1. 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"
   professional 
   
2. characteristic of or befitting a profession or one engaged in a profession
   "professional conduct"; "professional ethics"; "a thoroughly professional performance"
   professional 
   
3. of or relating to a profession
   "we need professional advice"; "professional training"; "professional equipment for his new office"
   professional 
   
4. of or relating to or suitable as a profession
   "professional organizations"; "a professional field such as law"
   professional 
   
5. engaged in by members of a profession
   "professional occupations include medicine and the law and teaching"
   professional