professor
HighFormal, Academic, Everyday
Definition
Meaning
A senior teacher at a college or university, especially one with a high rank such as a 'full professor'.
Any person who professes (publicly teaches or declares) a subject or skill; can also be used humorously or informally for someone who demonstrates great knowledge in a specific area.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In North America, 'professor' is a broad term for any permanent university-level instructor. In the UK and many Commonwealth countries, it is a specific, high-ranking title, often denoting a departmental head or chair.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the US, 'professor' is a common title for most university lecturers (e.g., 'Professor Smith'). In the UK, it is reserved for the most senior academics; others are typically 'Dr.' or 'Mr./Ms.'.
Connotations
US: General academic authority. UK: High prestige, leadership, and distinguished scholarship.
Frequency
The term is used much more frequently in American English across all university contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
professor of [subject]professor at [institution]professor in the [department] ofVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a professor of the dark arts (humorous for someone skilled in something dubious)”
- “would make a professor blush (extremely knowledgeable)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in 'adjunct professor' if linked to a business school or executive education.
Academic
Primary context. Denotes rank, authority, and area of expertise.
Everyday
Used to refer to one's university teacher. Can be used informally: 'He's a real professor when it comes to fixing cars.'
Technical
Specific to academic hierarchies and titles (e.g., 'Professor II' in some European systems).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- 'To professor' is not a standard verb.
American English
- 'To professor' is not a standard verb.
adverb
British English
- 'Professorially' is extremely rare.
American English
- 'Professorially' is extremely rare.
adjective
British English
- She has a professorial demeanour.
- He was given a professorial chair.
American English
- She has a professorial air.
- He received a professorial appointment.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My professor is very nice.
- She is a professor at the university.
- The professor gave us a lot of homework.
- I asked the history professor a question after the lecture.
- Professor Davies is leading a new research project on climate change.
- After twenty years of research, she was finally awarded a professorship.
- The visiting professor from Heidelberg delivered a seminal lecture on Kantian ethics.
- His professorial address critiqued the neoliberalisation of higher education.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A PROFESSor PROFESSes (publicly declares) knowledge in their field.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE IS A TERRITORY / The professor is a GUIDE or MAPMAKER of that territory.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with the Russian 'профессор', which is also a high, specific rank. The American usage is much broader. The Russian 'преподаватель' is closer to the general 'lecturer' or 'instructor'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'professor' as a title for a secondary school teacher (incorrect). Confusing 'Professor' and 'Doctor' titles in formal correspondence.
Practice
Quiz
In which country is the title 'Professor' used most broadly for university teachers?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is safest to use their official title (Dr., Mr., Ms., or Prof. if you know they hold that rank). If in doubt, 'Dr.' is common for PhD holders.
An associate professor is a mid-career, tenured position. A full professor is a senior, often leadership role, typically requiring more significant research achievements.
Rarely in a formal sense. Informally, it can describe an expert (e.g., 'a professor of street smarts'). Some specific roles exist, like 'Professor of the Court of Session' (a Scottish judge).
In the US: 'Dear Professor [Last Name]'. In the UK: Use 'Dear Professor [Last Name]' only if you are certain they hold that title; otherwise, 'Dear Dr. [Last Name]' is appropriate.
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Education
A2 · 50 words · School, studying and learning vocabulary.