pro

Everyday

1. (informal) A pro is a professional: a person paid for a sport or job. tree →
2. (informal) A pro is someone very good at something: «You're a pro at this!». tree →
3. Pros are reasons for something: «pros and cons» are reasons for and against. tree →
4. Pro- as a prefix means in favour of: pro-environment. tree →
5. (slang, euphemism) «Pro» can be short for a prostitute; avoid this use. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday talk it is a compliment or describes sport (a pro footballer, turn pro). In school writing and debates «pros and cons» are listed before deciding. «Pro» is a clipped short form of «professional». Phrases: «pros and cons», «turn pro», «like a pro».

Examples

• She plays tennis like a pro. tree →
• He wants to turn pro when he's older. tree →
• Let's list the pros and cons of having a dog. tree →
• One pro of walking to school is the exercise. tree →
• (informal) You're a real pro at fixing bikes! tree →
• She is pro-recycling. tree →
• The golf pro gave us a lesson. tree →
• Weigh up the pros before you decide. tree →

Note

Short (clipped) form of «professional»; plural «pros». Opposite of «pro» in debates: «con» (against). «Pro» as a prefix: pro-; opposite «anti-». Avoid the slang euphemism meaning.

In Jewish tradition

In everyday talk it is a compliment or describes sport (a pro footballer, turn pro). In school writing and debates «pros and cons» are listed before deciding. «Pro» is a clipped short form of «professional». Phrases: «pros and cons», «turn pro», «like a pro».

Examples

• These Seven Double Letters He designed, pro- duced, and combined, and formed with them the Planets (stars) of this Universe, the Days of the Week, and the Gates of the soul (the orifices of perception) in Man. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →
• At the International Mathematical Congress held in Paris in 1900, Cantor suggested that zero was pro- bably in use among the Babylonians as early as 1700 B. (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →

Note

Short (clipped) form of «professional»; plural «pros». Opposite of «pro» in debates: «con» (against). «Pro» as a prefix: pro-; opposite «anti-». Avoid the slang euphemism meaning.