professor

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun American English · Informal

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

n. 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.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Informal · Humorous

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

n. 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.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Theater British English

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

n. 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.”