English Reference

Word

pro

US/ˈpɹoʊ/

UK/pɹˈəʊ/

Definitions

01an advantage

B1

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

n. 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'.

Antonyms

02a professional

B2

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

n. 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.”

Informal

Teaching tip

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

Antonyms

03professional

B2 · Sport

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

adj. 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.”

Informal

Synonyms

Antonyms

04in favor of

B2

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

prep. 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.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Real-World Examples

“You stayed with me when I turned pro," Taylor said.”
BBC News · 5 Sept 2026
“This is the second part in a two-part series examining pro hockey in Hamilton.”
Toronto Sun · 5 Sept 2026

Idioms

pro tip — A useful piece of advice.

Domains

LinguisticsMedicine

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Very common
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/pro

English Reference