measure of being a pro

[azurerogue]

Okay, if you're going to pull out that argument I'll go ahead and ask whether a descriptive or prescriptive view of language is in use here. If descriptive, then it doesn't matter. The abbreviation "pro" has whatever meaning people assign to it. In this case, meaning being considered better than the average player.

If we're using a prescriptive definition of language then "pro" means whatever dictionaries say it means, namely:

"Pro" stands for "Professional" (which can actually be and adjective OR a noun, Ellie) in this case which is defined as:


?adjective
1.
following an occupation as a means of livelihood or for gain: a professional builder.
2.
of, pertaining to, or connected with a profession: professional studies.
3.
appropriate to a profession: professional objectivity.
4.
engaged in one of the learned professions: A lawyer is a professional person.
5.
following as a business an occupation ordinarily engaged in as a pastime: a professional golfer.
6.
making a business or constant practice of something not properly to be regarded as a business: ?A salesman,? he said, ?is a professional optimist.?
7.
undertaken or engaged in as a means of livelihood or for gain: professional baseball.
8.
of or for a professional person or his or her place of business or work: a professional apartment; professional equipment.
9.
done by a professional; expert: professional car repairs.

?noun
10.
a person who belongs to one of the professions, esp. one of the learned professions.
11.
a person who earns a living in a sport or other occupation frequently engaged in by amateurs: a golf professional.
12.
an expert player, as of golf or tennis, serving as a teacher, consultant, performer, or contestant; pro.
13.
a person who is expert at his or her work: You can tell by her comments that this editor is a real professional.

I inserted the bolding. So, really, either way you linguistically prefer to describe language pro can mean exactly what the OP intended for it to mean. Don't try to nitpick unless you know what you're talking about.