non·pro·fes·sion·al
ˌnän-prə-ˈfesh-nəl 
-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
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
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2025
So far, the reviews of nonprofessional watchers are mixed but tend to be far kinder.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
Jay Glennie, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2025
These nonprofessionals have become key to the emotional realism that Guiela Nguyen seeks.
—Laura Cappelle, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nonprofessional
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’s first three features were steeped in documentary realism, shot with a sturdy, windswept lyricism and abounding in nonprofessional actors.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2025
So far, the reviews of nonprofessional watchers are mixed but tend to be far kinder.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
Each would-be Manson Family member made their introduction, giving their background or, for the nonprofessionals, something about themselves.
—Jay Glennie, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2025
These nonprofessionals have become key to the emotional realism that Guiela Nguyen seeks.
—Laura Cappelle, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nonprofessional
Cite this Entry
“Nonprofessional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonprofessional. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share