unskilled

adjective

un·​skilled ˌən-ˈskild How to pronounce unskilled (audio)
1
: not skilled in a branch of work : lacking technical training
an unskilled worker
2
: not requiring skill
unskilled jobs
3
: marked by lack of skill
produced unskilled poems

Examples of unskilled in a Sentence

an unskilled handling of the facial features in the portrait explains why it is attributed to “school of Velázquez” and not to the master himself hired unskilled workers because they would work for lower wages
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Unfortunately, the rest of the roster is too big and unskilled, a downstream consequence of buying into the fiction that Davis is a power forward. John Hollinger, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025 Lane change issues, road debris or an unskilled driver are all quickly visible in the rear-view mirror with a tap on the accelerator. James Raia, Mercury News, 21 Sep. 2025 For the unskilled makeup amateurs among us, the face-sculpting technique of contouring is a little too intimidating. Jeanne Ballion, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2025 When an unskilled injector offers up undereye filler, the more serious side effects can even include blindness or stroke. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unskilled

Word History

First Known Use

1559, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unskilled was in 1559

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unskilled.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unskilled. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

unskilled

adjective
un·​skilled ˌən-ˈskild How to pronounce unskilled (audio)
ˈən-
1
: not skilled
especially : not skilled in a branch of work : lacking mechanical training
an unskilled worker
2
: not requiring skill
unskilled jobs
3
: marked by lack of skill
an unskilled painting

More from Merriam-Webster on unskilled

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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