professional soldier

Definitions

A person who serves in an armed force as their primary career rather than as a conscript or volunteer for a limited duration.

A soldier who is trained, equipped, and paid to perform military service as a full-time occupation.

Examples

The professional soldier trained every day.

She became a professional soldier after college.

Synonyms

career soldier regular mercenary military professional standing army member

Antonyms

amateur soldier conscript civilian militiaman part-time volunteer