How to pronounce professional
Say it like pruh-FESH-uh-nul. Professional has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FESH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce professional. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pruh
- FESH
- uh
- nul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Professional pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- pruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- FESHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of professional
American and British speakers say professional in essentially the same way: /prəˈfɛʃənəl/ in the US and /prəˈfɛʃənəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: pruh-FESH-uh-nul.
What does professional mean?
- engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood“the professional man or woman possesses distinctive qualifications”“began her professional career after the Olympics”
- of or relating to or suitable as a profession“professional organizations”“a professional field such as law”
- characteristic of or befitting a profession or one engaged in a profession“professional conduct”“professional ethics”
- a person engaged in one of the learned professions
- an athlete who plays for pay
- an authority qualified to teach apprentices
Where does professional come from?
From Middle English professhennalle, professhynalle; equivalent to profession + -al.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with professional
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of professional.
Questions about saying professional
How do you pronounce professional?
Say pruh-FESH-uh-nul. The American pronunciation is /prəˈfɛʃənəl/. In British English it is /prəˈfɛʃənəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in professional?
Professional has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FESH). Broken into parts: pruh · FESH · uh · nul.
Do Americans and Brits say professional the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /prəˈfɛʃənəl/ and the British form is /prəˈfɛʃənəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.