# professor

/pɹəˈfɛsɝ/ (US) · /pɹəfˈɛsɐ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. senior academic rank

noun · CEFR A2

the highest rank for a teacher at a university.

For teachers: the most senior academic rank within a university department or faculty.

- After twenty years of research, she was finally promoted to professor of history.
- The university appointed a new professor to lead the physics department, citing his extensive contributions to quantum mechanics research.

Usage: Often used as a title before a surname, such as Professor Smith.

### 2. any college teacher

noun · CEFR B1 · American English · Informal

a general word for any teacher at a college or university, even if they are not senior.

For teachers: a general term for any member of the teaching faculty at a post-secondary institution, regardless of specific rank.

- I need to email my biology professor to ask about the homework.
- In many American colleges, students address all their instructors as professor as a sign of respect, even those who do not hold a doctorate.

Teaching tip: In British English, this is much more specific and only refers to the highest rank; using it for every lecturer sounds incorrect in the UK.

### 3. mocking title

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Humorous

a name used to tease someone who acts like they know everything about a topic.

For teachers: a mock or derogatory title applied to an individual perceived as pedantic, overly academic, or obsessive regarding a particular subject.

- Okay, Professor, we get it—you know everything about coffee beans.
- His friends started calling him 'the professor' after he spent three hours explaining the technical differences between various vintage camera lenses.

### 4. puppeteer

noun · CEFR C2 · British English

the person who performs a traditional Punch and Judy puppet show.

For teachers: the traditional title for a puppeteer who performs a Punch and Judy show.

- The children gathered around the booth to watch the professor start the puppet show.
- 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.

## Examples

- The professor gives a lecture every Monday morning.
- After years of research and publishing several books, she was finally promoted to full professor.
- The visiting professor delivered a series of seminars on quantum mechanics that challenged the existing theories held by the department's senior faculty.

---

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.