unprofessional

adjective

un·​pro·​fes·​sion·​al ˌən-prə-ˈfe-sh(ə-)nəl 

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

unprofessional attire

unprofessional comments

Synonyms of unprofessional

• inexperienced
• amateur
• amateurish

Examples of unprofessional in a Sentence

an unprofessional carelessness about the accuracy of the news story

Recent Examples on the Web

Many of our older colleagues slammed it as unprofessional, while others called it courageous. —Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025

They’ve been stigmatized as unkempt or unprofessional, banned in schools and workplaces through discriminatory policies that the CROWN Act was created to dismantle. —Jailynn Tayor, Essence, 21 Oct. 2025

Servers should always return change unless explicitly told to keep it, as assuming a tip can create confusion or come across as unprofessional. —Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025

What feels casual for some might feel unprofessional—or even uncomfortable—for others. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Sep. 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