professor
- 01 A2 Elementary
the highest rank for a teacher at a university.
the most senior academic rank within a university department or faculty.
Simple“After twenty years of research, she was finally promoted to professor of history.”
In context“The university appointed a new professor to lead the physics department, citing his extensive contributions to quantum mechanics research.”
UsageOften used as a title before a surname, such as Professor Smith.
- 02 B1 Intermediate
a general word for any teacher at a college or university, even if they are not senior.
a general term for any member of the teaching faculty at a post-secondary institution, regardless of specific rank.
Simple“I need to email my biology professor to ask about the homework.”
In context“In many American colleges, students address all their instructors as professor as a sign of respect, even those who do not hold a doctorate.”
Teacher's tipIn British English, this is much more specific and only refers to the highest rank; using it for every lecturer sounds incorrect in the UK.
Synonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
a name used to tease someone who acts like they know everything about a topic.
a mock or derogatory title applied to an individual perceived as pedantic, overly academic, or obsessive regarding a particular subject.
Simple“Okay, Professor, we get it—you know everything about coffee beans.”
In context“His friends started calling him 'the professor' after he spent three hours explaining the technical differences between various vintage camera lenses.”
Synonymsknow it allegghead - 04 C2 Proficiency
the person who performs a traditional Punch and Judy puppet show.
the traditional title for a puppeteer who performs a Punch and Judy show.
Simple“The children gathered around the booth to watch the professor start the puppet show.”
In context“The art of the Punch and Judy professor requires not only physical coordination but also the mastery of a 'swazzle' to produce the character's distinctive voice.”
Synonymspuppeteershowman
Usage professor found · professor of sociology · professor of psychology
From Middle English professor, professour, from Anglo-Norman proffessur and its etymon Latin professor (“declarer, person who claims knowledge”), from the past participle stem of profiteor (“profess”). By surface analysis, profess + -or.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.