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

• inexperienced
• amateur
• amateurish

Examples of unprofessional in a Sentence

an unprofessional carelessness about the accuracy of the news story

Recent Examples on the Web

Disciplinary bodies and the rule of law The state bodies that govern the practice of law, and which license lawyers who practice even in the federal courts and the federal government, serve as a critical check on unprofessional conduct by lawyers. —Ray Brescia, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2025

Practices that feel second nature in one country can seem awkward, overly formal or even unprofessional in another. —Dee Coakley, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025

Riddle, who was released in September 2023 due to unprofessional conduct, reaffirmed his stance on a new podcast. —Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025

Corrections Department disciplinary records reveal two park rangers were reprimanded for various offenses, including lying about attendance, sleeping on the job and unprofessional behavior. —Maritza Dominguez, AZCentral.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unprofessional

• nonprofessional
• preprofessional
• subprofessional
• compressional
• concessional
• confessional
• congressional
• obsessional
• processional
• professional
• recessional
• successional

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