unprofessional

adjective

un·​pro·​fes·​sion·​al ˌən-prə-ˈfesh-nəl 

-ˈfe-shə-nᵊl

: not exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, or generally businesslike manner in the workplace : not professional

unprofessional attire

unprofessional comments

Synonyms

• amateur
• amateurish
• dilettante
• dilettantish
• inexperienced
• inexpert
• jackleg
• nonprofessional
• unskilled
• unskillful

Examples of unprofessional in a Sentence

an unprofessional carelessness about the accuracy of the news story

Recent Examples on the Web

The term unprofessional is a product of the patriarchy. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

Long gone are the days of using clear misspellings, unprofessional website design and fishy email domains as reliable identifiers for online scams. —The Summit Daily, The Denver Post, 10 Dec. 2024

Without those details, your release will seem incomplete or unprofessional. —Adrian Dearnell, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024

Some leaders are concerned about judgment, especially from other hard-working colleagues and peers who may see taking a sabbatical as lazy or unprofessional. —Jane Thier, Fortune, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

unprofessional

adjective

un·​pro·​fes·​sion·​al

ˌən-prə-ˈfesh-nəl,

-ən-ᵊl

: not professional

especially : not up to the standards of one's profession

unprofessionally

-ē

adverb