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

That’s how unprofessional this (Justice Department) has become. —Associate News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025

The five-digit figure was referenced in a notice of unprofessional conduct sent to Rupert in July. —Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 25 Nov. 2025

Washington’s response so far has been measured but firm after Glass' comments condemning hostile rhetoric from Chinese diplomats as unprofessional and urging de-escalation without directly challenging China’s core claims on Taiwan. —Britt Clennett, ABC News, 19 Nov. 2025

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