prof

prof — noun

1. an informal spoken short form of 'professor,' used when talking about a universi

1.nounB1
Definition

an informal spoken short form of 'professor,' used when talking about a university teacher in everyday conversation rather than in official or written contexts

Example

My prof said I need to rewrite the whole first chapter of my thesis.

my + prof — informal possessive collocation

Andrés went to see his prof during office hours to ask about his grade.

Common collocations
  • my prof
  • his/her prof
  • the prof
  • history/math prof
Synonyms
  • professor

    the full formal term, appropriate in all contexts including official documents

Grammar Patterns

possessive + prof

prof + verb

Usage Note

Frequently used with possessive determiners (my, his, her). Not appropriate for formal correspondence, academic papers, or when addressing the professor directly.

Common Mistakes

I wrote to Prof. Chen about my absence.' (when speaking conversationally)
I wrote to my prof about my absence.
In casual speech, 'my prof' is natural; 'Prof.' with a period belongs only in written titles.

2. the written abbreviation 'Prof.' placed before a person's surname as part of the

2.nounB1
Definition

the written abbreviation 'Prof.' placed before a person's surname as part of their formal academic title, used in letters, emails, course catalogues, and nameplates

Example

The letter was signed by Prof. Adina Okafor from the Department of History.

Prof. + [surname] — formal written title abbreviation

Prof. Ramón Silva will deliver the opening speech at the academic conference tomorrow.

Common collocations
  • Prof. [surname]
  • Prof. [surname] of [university/department]
Synonyms
  • professor

    the full written form, used when abbreviation is not appropriate for the context

Grammar Patterns

Prof. + [surname]

Usage Note

Always followed by the professor's surname (not given name alone). In American English, a period is standard after 'Prof'; British English often omits it. Never use 'Prof.' in direct address — say 'Professor' or the person's full title when speaking to them.

Common Mistakes

Prof. John is my advisor.
Prof. Chen is my advisor.
Always use the surname, not the given name, after 'Prof.'
Nice to meet you, Prof. Smith.' (in direct address)
Nice to meet you, Professor Smith.
Use the full word 'Professor' when addressing someone in person.

3. an informal shortened form of 'professional,' referring to a person who earns mo

3.nounB2
Definition

an informal shortened form of 'professional,' referring to a person who earns money by doing a sport, playing an instrument, or competing in an activity that many people do as a hobby

Example

After three years of intense training, Benjamin turned prof and joined the international golf tour.

turn + prof — fixed verb phrase for becoming a professional

Maeve plays the drums like a prof even though she never studied music formally.

like a prof — informal comparison meaning 'like a professional'

Common collocations
  • turn prof
  • go prof
  • like a prof
Synonyms
  • pro

    the most common shortened form for 'professional,' used both as a noun and as an adjective

  • professional

    the full form, appropriate in all registers including formal writing

Antonyms
  • amateur

    someone who does an activity for enjoyment rather than for payment

Grammar Patterns

turn + prof

go + prof

like a + prof

Usage Note

Used primarily in sports, gaming, and music contexts. 'Turn prof' and 'go prof' are fixed verb phrases. This abbreviation is understood in casual conversation but very rarely appears in formal writing.

Common Mistakes

He is a prof tennis player.
He is a pro tennis player.' or 'He turned prof.
'Prof' as 'professional' is not used as an adjective before a noun; use 'pro' for that role.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe people who teach, but they differ in academic rank and context. 'Professor' is the highest academic rank at a university, typically holding a doctorate and a permanent position. 'Prof' is simply an informal spoken short form of 'professor,' used among students to refer to their teachers in casual conversation ('my prof said...'). 'Lecturer' is a lower academic rank, often without tenure or a permanent contract. 'Instructor' is a broad term for someone who teaches at a college but may not have a PhD. 'Teacher' is the most general term, commonly used for school-level educators rather than university faculty. In everyday speech, a student might say 'I asked my prof about the exam,' but would write 'Professor Chen' in a formal email.

professor ↗lecturerinstructor ↗teacher ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • history prof
  • math prof
  • chemistry prof
  • law prof

Prepositions

  • of (prof of history, prof of law)

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

'Prof' is a shortening of 'professor,' which came into English from Latin 'professor,' meaning 'one who publicly declares or teaches,' based on 'profitērī' — 'to declare publicly.' The use of 'prof' as a short form for 'professional' emerged later in 20th-century informal English, particularly among sports players and musicians.