pro

¹

[ proh ]

adverb

1. in favor of a proposition, opinion, etc.

noun

, plural pros.

1. a proponent of an issue; a person who upholds the affirmative in a debate.
2. an argument, consideration, vote, etc., for something.

pro-

²

1. a prefix indicating favor for some party, system, idea, etc., without identity with the group ( pro-British; pro-Communist; proslavery ), having anti- as its opposite.
2. a prefix of priority in space or time having especially a meaning of advancing or projecting forward or outward, and also used to indicate substitution, attached widely to stems not used as words:

   provision; prologue; proceed; produce; protract; procathedral; proconsul.

pro

³

[ proh ]

adjective

1. professional.

noun

, plural pros.

1. a professional.
2. the pros, the professional athletic leagues, as of football, baseball, or basketball:

   He's sure to be signed by the pros.

pro-

⁴

1. a prefix identical in meaning with pro-1 , occurring in words borrowed from Greek ( prodrome ) or formed of Greek (and occasionally Latin) elements.

pro

⁵

[ proh ]

noun

, Slang.

, plural pros.

1. prophylactic ( def 5 ).

pro

⁶

[ proh ]

preposition

, Latin.

1. for.

Pro

⁷

abbreviation for

, Biochemistry.

1. proline.

PRO

⁸

or P.R.O.

1. public relations officer.

pro-

¹

prefix

1. in favour of; supporting

   pro-Chinese

2. acting as a substitute for

   pronoun

   proconsul

PRO

²

abbreviation for

1. Public Records Office
2. public relations officer

pro-

³

prefix

1. before in time or position; anterior; forward

   prognathous

   procephalic

   prophase

pro

⁴

/ prəʊ /

adverb

1. in favour of a motion, issue, course of action, etc Compare anti

preposition

1. in favour of

noun

1. usually plural an argument or vote in favour of a proposal or motion See also pros and cons
2. usually plural a person who votes in favour of a proposal, motion, etc

pro

⁵

/ prəʊ /

noun

1. informal.
   short for professional
2. slang.
   a prostitute

the internet domain name for

1. professional practitioner

adjective

1. informal.
   short for professional

Word History and Origins

Origin of pro¹

First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English, from Latin prō (preposition) “in favor of, on behalf of,” akin to Greek pró, Sanskrit pra; for, per ( def )

Origin of pro²

< Latin prō-, pro-, combining form representing prō pro ¹

Origin of pro³

First recorded in 1840–50; by shortening

Origin of pro⁴

< Greek, combining form of pró for, before; pro ¹

Origin of pro⁵

First recorded in 1945–50; by shortening

Word History and Origins

Origin of pro¹

from Latin prō (adv and prep). In compound words borrowed from Latin, prō- indicates: forward, out ( project ); forward and down ( prostrate ); away from a place ( prodigal ); onward in time or space ( proceed ); extension outwards ( propagate ); before in time or place ( provide, protect ); on behalf of ( procure ); acting as a substitute for ( pronominal ); and sometimes intensive force ( promiscuous )

Origin of pro²

from Greek pro (prep) before (in time, position, rank, etc)

Origin of pro³

from Latin prō (prep) in favour of

Origin of pro⁴

C19: by shortening

Example Sentences

It all felt new because, for Knecht as a pro, it was.

From Los Angeles Times

Even a two-game losing streak — just the second multi-game losing streak in Dobbins’ college and pro career — was unacceptable to him.

From Los Angeles Times

On Sunday, second-year pro Warren McClendon Jr. started at right tackle in place of the injured Noteboom.

From Los Angeles Times

Stafford, a 16th-year pro, has 370 career touchdown passes, putting him in sole possession of 10th place on the league’s all-time list.

From Los Angeles Times

In an uncomfortable moment post-fight, Tyson, after his seventh pro loss in 57 bouts, called out Paul's brother Logan and suggested he could fight again.

From BBC

Related Words

• ace
• expert
• professional