French word

profession

Pronunciation

IPA/pʁofɛsjɔ̃/

Meaning

  • feminine nounjob

Example

Quelle est votre profession ?

What is your job?

Illustration for profession (job)

More examples

Il a exercé la profession d'ingénieur pendant vingt ans.

He practiced engineering for twenty years.

Core concept

A socially recognized line of work supported by training or qualifications.

Common phrases

  • exercer une profession

    practice a profession

  • changer de profession

    change professions

  • une profession médicale

    a medical profession

Similar words

métier: A practical trade or occupation requiring specific skills and experience.
travail: The work performed, viewed as labor, tasks, or workload.
emploi: A job held as a paid employee.
poste: A designated job or responsibility within an organization.

Definition in French

Désigne un emploi ou une occupation exercée régulièrement et caractérisée par une spécialisation ou une qualification.

Word origin

French profession comes through Old French from Latin professio, "public declaration," whose meaning extended from a declared commitment to an occupation or specialized calling.

Usage tips

  • Profession is more formal than métier when asking about someone's work, especially in official or administrative contexts.

Other meanings

  • occupationnoun
  • professionnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word