nonprofessional

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adjective

non·​pro·​fes·​sion·​al ˌnän-prə-ˈfesh-nəl How to pronounce nonprofessional (audio)
-ˈfe-shə-nᵊl
: not professional: such as
a
: not belonging to or trained in a particular profession
overtime pay for nonprofessional employees
nonprofessional jobs
b
: engaging in or practicing some craft or art without previous training or professional status : amateur
a nonprofessional actor

nonprofessional

2 of 2

noun

plural nonprofessionals
: a person who is not a professional: such as
a
: someone who does not belong to or possess training in a particular profession
the role of nonprofessionals in mental health care
b
: someone who engages in or practices some craft or art without previous training or professional status
a cooking class for nonprofessionals
a cast of mostly nonprofessionals
nonprofessionally adverb
has been singing nonprofessionally for many years

Examples of nonprofessional in a Sentence

Adjective racing stunts that nonprofessional drivers should not attempt to duplicate didn't like the nonprofessional photos the modeling agency did for her Noun one need not be a legal professional to join the bar association; it is open to professionals and nonprofessionals alike
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Zhao is another idiosyncratic director who’s done work with nonprofessional actors and a big Marvel movie. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024 The film was not only a début but a genre fantasy in which nonprofessional actors delivered their lines in an African language. Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2024
Noun
Homer, Ulysses, Arlo, and Atlas Janson, four vivacious nonprofessionals from rural Ohio who apparently inspired Green to make the film in the first place. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2024 Our Editors' Choice winners in its class are Adobe Premiere Pro and Apple Final Cut Pro, both of which are easier for professionals and nonprofessionals alike to wrap their heads around. PCMAG, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for nonprofessional 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1816, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1872, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonprofessional was in 1816

Dictionary Entries Near nonprofessional

Cite this Entry

“Nonprofessional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonprofessional. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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