Professor: Definition, Pronunciation, and Usage

Meaning 1：High-ranking university teacher (professor)

professor 🔊

/prəˈfɛs.ər/

A high-level teacher at a university or college who often does research.

Professor teaching at university classroom podium

High-ranking university teacher 🔊

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/haɪˈræŋkɪŋ ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːrsəti ˈtiːtʃər/

A professor is a senior academic who holds a teaching and research position at a university or college, typically the highest rank within a department.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'profiteri' (to declare publicly), combining 'pro-' (forward) and 'fateri' (to acknowledge). Originally referred to one who publicly professed a branch of learning.

💡 Mnemonic

Pro + fess + or: A professional who fesses up all the answers.

📖 Example

Li Ming achieved his lifelong dream of becoming a professor of chemistry at a major university, where he now teaches and conducts experiments. 🔊 Li Ming achieved his lifelong dream of becoming a professor of chemistry at a major university, where he now teaches and conducts experiments.

🔗 Collocations

assistant professor – A junior academic rank, often the first step on the tenure track.

visiting professor – A professor who teaches at an institution for a limited time while employed elsewhere.

professor emeritus – A retired professor who retains the title as an honor.

🔄 Synonyms

lecturer (n.) – A person who gives lectures, especially at a university, though typically lower in rank than a professor.

academic (n.) – A scholar or teacher at a university or research institution.

scholar (n.) – A person engaged in advanced study or research, often within academia.

🚫 Antonyms

student (n.) – A person who is learning, especially at a school or university.

pupil (n.) – A learner under the direct supervision of a teacher.

🌱 Derivatives

professorship (n.) – The position or rank of a professor.

professorial (adj.) – Relating to or characteristic of a professor.

professoriate (n.) – The body of professors at an institution or in a field.

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'professus', meaning 'declared publicly'. In medieval universities, a professor was someone who publicly professed a branch of knowledge. The title evolved into a high academic rank.