Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA declaration of faith.
nounA declaration of faith., A promise or vow made on entering a religious order.
Sentence Examples
Teaching is a profession of my own choosing.
Teaching English is his profession.
CEFR Practice Quiz
He viewed his job as a serious ____, not something to play with.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Medicine is a demanding ____ that requires years of training and a lifelong commitment to learning.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *per-der.?
Proto-Indo-European *per-der.?
Proto-Indo-European *pér
Proto-Indo-European *-o
Proto-Indo-European *pró
Proto-Indo-European *pro-
Proto-Italic *pro-
Latin prō-
Proto-Indo-European *bʰeh₂-der.
Proto-Italic *fatēōr
Latin fateor
Latin profiteor
Proto-Indo-European *-tis
Proto-Indo-European *-Hō
Proto-Indo-European *-tiHō
Proto-Italic *-tiō
Latin -tiō
Latin professiōnembor.
Old French professionbor.
Anglo-Norman professiounbor.
Middle English professioun
English profession
From Middle English professioun, from Anglo-Norman professioun, Old French profession (“declaration of faith, religious vows, occupation”), from Latin professiō (“avowal, public declaration”), from the participle stem of profitērī (“to profess”). By surface analysis, profess + -ion.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Rosario was a young novice belonging to the monastery, who in three months intended to make his profession."
— 1796, Matthew Lewis, The Monk, Folio Society, published 1985, page 27:
"I scarcely know any thing that really interests me, and I would give a great deal not to be so quick-sighted as I am; it would be so pleasant to believe only a tithe of the professions that are made me."
— 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “Presentiment”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 126:
"“You are very idle, Cashel; I am sure of that. It is too provoking to throw away so much money every year for nothing. Besides, you must soon be thinking of a profession.” “I shall go into the army,” said Cashel. “It is the only profession for a gentleman.”"
— 1886, George Bernard Shaw, Cashel Byron’s Profession. […], London: The Modern Press, […], →OCLC, page 4: