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

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

Disciplinary letters indicated the two former correctional officers lied about work attendance, violated the department’s policies, fell asleep on the job and had unprofessional behavior with colleagues. —Maritza Dominguez, AZCentral.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Her two trials — the first ended in mistrial — exposed unprofessional behavior by MSP detectives involved in the case, especially that of ex-Trooper Michael Proctor. —Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 10 Aug. 2025

Eight employees were fired for fighting, attacking or general unprofessional behavior toward inmates or other staff members. —Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 10 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