French word

pro

Pronunciation

IPA/pʁo/

Meaning

  • noun (m./f.)professional

Example

C'est un pro du tennis.

He is a tennis professional.

Illustration for pro (professional)

More examples

Pour ce chantier, il faut un pro.

For this construction project, a pro is needed.

Core concept

Someone at the expert level of a trade or competitive sport.

Common phrases

  • devenir pro

    become a pro

  • engager un pro

    hire a pro

  • un pro reconnu

    a recognized pro

Similar words

professionnel: A person who works professionally in a field using specialized skills.
expert: A person with advanced knowledge who can offer expert advice and judgment.
spécialiste: A person who focuses on one particular field of knowledge or skill.

Definition in French

Forme familière et abrégée du substantif «professionnel» ; personne qui exerce une activité ou un sport à un niveau professionnel.

Word origin

The noun pro comes from the familiar French shortening of professionnel, a word formed from profession and ultimately linked to Latin professio.

Usage tips

  • In the pattern un pro du tennis, du combines de with le before the name of the activity.

Other meanings

  • expertnoun
  • professional athletenoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word