Definition

1. Verb (transitive):

   • To make an activity, field, or person conform to the standards, skills, or status of a profession.
   • To give a professional character to something; to organize or conduct according to professional principles.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To become professional; to proceed in a professional manner or to engage in an activity for pay or as a primary means of livelihood.

Usage and Examples

• Transitive verb (to make professional):

  • The association's goal is to professionalise the industry by introducing standard certifications.
  • They hired a consultant to professionalise their customer service operations.

• Intransitive verb (to become professional):

  • As the sport gained popularity, many athletes began to professionalise and compete for prize money.
  • The field has professionalised significantly over the past two decades.

Advanced Usage and Notes

• The term often implies a process of raising standards, formalizing training, and moving away from amateur or informal practices.
• It can describe a societal or institutional shift, not just an individual's career change.
• "Professionalisation" (noun) is the related process or result.
  • The professionalisation of nursing was a key development in modern healthcare.

Variants and Related Words

• Professionalize: The preferred spelling in American English. The meaning is identical to "professionalise" (British English spelling).
• Professional (adj/n): Having the qualities or standards of a profession; a person engaged in a profession.
• Professionalism (n): The competence, skill, or conduct expected of a professional.

Synonyms

• Standardize (in the context of establishing professional norms).
• Formalize.
• Commercialize (when the shift specifically involves moving to a paid activity).

Antonyms

• Amateurize: To make or become amateur.
• De-professionalise/De-professionalize: To remove professional status or standards.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• To turn professional: A common phrase, especially in sports and arts, meaning to begin participating for financial gain.
  • After winning the amateur championship, she decided to turn professional.
• Professional ethics: The principles that govern the conduct of people in a profession, often a focus of professionalisation efforts.

Verb

1. make professional or give a professional character to
   • Philosophy has not always been professionalized and used to be a subject pursued only by amateurs
2. become professional or proceed in a professional manner or in an activity for pay or as a means of livelihood