professional

a person engaged in one of the learned professions

an athlete who plays for pay

an authority qualified to teach apprentices

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"; "professional theater"; "professional football"; "a professional cook"; "professional actors and athletes"

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 thoroughly professional performance"

of or relating to a profession; "we need professional advice"; "professional training"; "professional equipment for his new office"

engaged in by members of a profession; "professional occupations include medicine and the law and teaching"