Gentleman vs. Professional — What's the Difference?

A gentleman (Old French: gentilz hom, gentle + man) is any man of good and courteous conduct. Originally, gentleman was the lowest rank of the landed gentry of England, ranking below an esquire and above a yeoman; by definition, the rank of gentleman comprised the younger sons of the younger sons of peers, and the younger sons of a baronet, a knight, and an esquire, in perpetual succession.

A professional is a member of a profession or any person who earns a living from a specified professional activity. The term also describes the standards of education and training that prepare members of the profession with the particular knowledge and skills necessary to perform their specific role within that profession.

A man of gentle or noble birth or superior social position

Of, relating to, engaged in, or suitable for a profession

A well-mannered and considerate man with high standards of proper behavior. See Usage Note at lady.

Conforming to the standards of a profession

A man of independent means who does not need to have a wage-paying job.

Engaging in a given activity as a source of livelihood or as a career

A man

Performed by persons receiving pay

Gentlemen (-mən) Used as a form of address for a group of men.

Having or showing great skill; expert

A manservant; a valet.

A person following a profession, especially a learned profession.

A man of gentle but not noble birth, particularly a man of means (originally ownership of property) who does not work for a living but has no official status in a peerage; an armiferous man ranking below a knight.

One who earns a living in a given or implied occupation

Any well-bred, well-mannered, or charming man.

A skilled practitioner; an expert.

An effeminate or oversophisticated man.

A person who belongs to a profession

Any man.

A person who earns their living from a specified activity

An amateur or dabbler in any field, particularly those of independent means.

A prostitute

(cricket) An amateur player, particularly one whose wealth permits him to forego payment.

A reputation known by name

A man well born; one of good family; one above the condition of a yeoman.

An expert

One of gentle or refined manners; a well-bred man.

Of, pertaining to, or in accordance with the (usually high) standards of a profession.

One who bears arms, but has no title.

That is carried out for money, especially as a livelihood.

The servant of a man of rank.

(by extension) Expert.

A man, irrespective of condition; - used esp. in the plural (= citizens; people), in addressing men in popular assemblies, etc.

Of or pertaining to a profession, or calling; conforming to the rules or standards of a profession; following a profession; as, professional knowledge; professional conduct.

A man of refinement

Engaged in by professionals; as, a professional race; - opposed to amateur.

A manservant who acts as a personal attendant to his employer;

A person who prosecutes anything professionally, or for a livelihood, and not in the character of an amateur; a professional worker.

A person engaged in one of the learned professions

An athlete who plays for pay

An authority qualified to teach apprentices

Engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood;

Of or relating to or suitable as a profession;

Characteristic of or befitting a profession or one engaged in a profession;

Of or relating to a profession;

Engaged in by members of a profession;