profession
B1Neutral to formal. Common in academic, business, and everyday contexts when discussing careers.
Definition
Meaning
A type of job that requires advanced education or training, often with formal qualifications and a code of ethics.
1. A declaration or claim of a belief or feeling. 2. The collective body of people engaged in a particular occupation requiring advanced knowledge.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a white-collar, knowledge-based occupation (e.g., law, medicine, engineering) as opposed to a trade or manual labor. The meaning 'declaration' is now formal/literary.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major difference in core meaning. 'The professions' (plural) is a traditional UK term referring specifically to law, medicine, and the church.
Connotations
Slightly more formal/prescriptive in UK usage regarding social status.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Profession of [noun] (e.g., profession of faith)Profession as [noun] (e.g., profession as an architect)In/Within the [noun] profession (e.g., in the medical profession)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The oldest profession (euphemism for prostitution)”
- “A profession of innocence (formal declaration)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Discussions of career paths, recruitment, and industry standards.
Academic
Sociological studies of occupational groups, professional ethics.
Everyday
Talking about someone's job, especially if it requires qualifications.
Technical
Legal/regulatory contexts defining licensed or chartered occupations.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She has professed a desire to help.
- He professed ignorance of the new regulations.
American English
- The witness professed to have seen nothing.
- They profess a commitment to sustainability.
adverb
British English
- The work was carried out very professionally.
- She managed the crisis professionally.
American English
- He handled the complaint professionally.
- The team performed professionally under pressure.
adjective
British English
- He is a professional footballer.
- We need professional advice on this matter.
American English
- She maintained a professional demeanor.
- The report was written in a highly professional style.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Teaching is an important profession.
- What is your profession?
- She decided to enter the medical profession like her father.
- He's a lawyer by profession.
- The legal profession is governed by a strict code of conduct.
- There is a growing demand for professionals in the tech industry.
- Her public profession of faith surprised her colleagues.
- The engineering profession has been grappling with issues of sustainability and ethics for decades.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'PROfessional conFESSION' – a job where you publicly declare your expertise.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROFESSION IS A GUILD (implies exclusivity, standards, shared identity). PROFESSION IS A CALLING (implies higher purpose beyond just work).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not synonymous with 'профессия' in all contexts. Russian 'профессия' is broader and can apply to any skilled job. English 'profession' is narrower, excluding many trades. Use 'job', 'occupation', or 'trade' where appropriate.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'profession' for any job (e.g., 'His profession is a waiter' – use 'job' or 'occupation'). Confusing with 'professor' (academic title).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is LEAST likely to be described as a 'profession' in its core sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditionally, yes, but usage has broadened. It strongly implies specialized training and formal qualifications, which may not always be a degree (e.g., professional certifications).
'Job' is general and concrete (the specific work you do). 'Occupation' is more formal and categorical (your type of work). 'Profession' is a subset of occupations requiring high-level expertise, training, and often ethical standards.
No. The correct structures are: 'I am a teacher by profession', 'Teaching is my profession', or 'I am a professional teacher' (if emphasizing skill level).
It is a common euphemism for prostitution. Be aware of this idiomatic usage, as it can be a source of confusion.
Collections
Part of a collection
Work and Jobs
A2 · 49 words · Jobs, professions and the world of work.