paraprofessional

American

[par-uh-pruh-fesh-uh-nl] / ˌpær ə prəˈfɛʃ ə nl /

noun

a person trained to assist a doctor, lawyer, teacher, or other professional, but not licensed to practice in the profession.

adjective

of or relating to paraprofessionals.

Etymology

Origin of paraprofessional

First recorded in 1965–70; para- ¹ + professional

Vocabulary lists containing paraprofessional

"Blocking the Transmission of Violence," Vocabulary from the feature article

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In September, she took a full-time job as a paraprofessional for a local school, making just $14 an hour.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 10, 2026

The other was a close friend, Stefanie Robinson, a paraprofessional who worked with students with severe disabilities, including those requiring help with feeding and diapering.

From Salon • Sep. 19, 2024

Indeed, they may not be seen by a doctor at all but by a paraprofessional — a nurse practitioner or a physician assistant, for instance — who works under the doctor’s license.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 3, 2023

Huland, a paraprofessional in San Francisco, said he arrived downtown just before 6 a.m. to scope out some deals.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 25, 2022

At my son’s school, special education teachers are not paid the same as their general education counterparts, and there are many open paraprofessional positions, because of low pay and no benefits.

From New York Times • Mar. 5, 2022

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023