# pro

/ˈpɹoʊ/ (US) · /pɹˈəʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pro
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. an advantage

noun · CEFR B1

a reason to do something or a positive point about a choice.

For teachers: an argument or factor in favor of a particular action or decision, typically paired with 'con'.

- We made a list of the pros and cons before deciding to move to a new city.
- The committee spent hours weighing every pro against the potential long-term risks before approving the merger.

Usage: Almost always used in the plural phrase 'pros and cons'.

### 2. a professional

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

someone who is very good at their job or plays a sport for money.

For teachers: a person who engages in a specific activity, especially a sport or technical craft, as a main paid occupation.

- If you want the plumbing fixed correctly, you should hire a pro.
- Even among seasoned pros, the pressure of a live television broadcast can lead to uncharacteristic mistakes.

Teaching tip: While 'pro' is common in speech, 'professional' is preferred in formal business writing.

### 3. professional

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

relating to a job that requires special training or playing sport for money.

For teachers: relating to or belonging to a profession; often used to distinguish paid status from amateur status.

- He decided to turn pro after winning the national amateur championship.
- The transition to a pro career requires a level of discipline that many young athletes find overwhelming at first.

### 4. in favor of

preposition · CEFR B2

supporting an idea or being on the side of a specific choice.

For teachers: indicating support for or alignment with a specific principle, policy, or movement.

- Are you pro or anti the new school uniform policy?
- The senator remained staunchly pro-reform throughout the debate, despite significant pressure from lobbyists.

Usage: Often used as a prefix with a hyphen, but can stand alone in informal questions.

## Examples

- She is a real pro at fixing computers.
- After years of practice on the local circuit, he finally decided to turn pro and join the national league.
- Even among seasoned veterans, her ability to remain calm under pressure marked her as a true pro who could handle any crisis.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.