untrained

adjective un·trained \ ˌən-ˈtrānd \

|Updated on: 21 Jun 2018

Definition of untrained

1 : not trained: such as

a : not made adept or expert by instruction or experience

an untrained journalist

untrained in the use of firearms

b : not taught by discipline to conform to certain behaviors

an untrained dog

2 : not based on training or knowledge : inexpert

an untrained diagnosis

To the untrained eye, many wetlands can be deceiving, particularly during drier times of year.
—Kathleen Rude

See untrained defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of untrained from the Web

Vince Villanueva walks nonchalantly through the crowded floor of the Schaumburg Convention Center while holding what seems to be (to the untrained eye) a raggedy old shoe above his head like the Statue of Liberty’s torch.

— chris lamorte, chicagotribune.com, "$9,000 Nikes and more: Schaumburg Sneaker Con a paradise for 'Sneakerheads'," 13 June 2018
Identifying the need for new rulemaking, the DOT references fraud, the presence of untrained animals on flights, and the urinating, defecating, and biting that their presence inevitably leads to.

— wes siler, Outside Online, "You May Never Fly with Your Fake Service Dog Again," 30 May 2018
To the untrained eye, watching this week's Amgen Tour of California — or any team cycling race on the international circuit — would seem straightforward.

— latimes.com, "Today: Mueller’s First Year," 17 May 2018
For one thing, untrained animals in public spaces can create problems for actual service animals.

— San Francisco Chronicle, "Last word: No more snakes on the plane," 15 May 2018
To the surprise of this writer, Harding edged out Mirai Nagasu, despite the fact that the figure skating bronze medalist from the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics had higher scores than Harding and clearly performed better, even to this untrained eye.

— michelle r. martinelli, For The Win, "Adam Rippon is going to win DWTS and 5 other takeaways from the semifinals," 15 May 2018
American said the new rules are designed to protect passengers with legitimate needs for service and support animals while avoiding problems with untrained animals in the cabin.

— lauren zumbach, chicagotribune.com, "American Airlines bans emotional support amphibians, ferrets, goats and more," 14 May 2018
More than 20 states have tightened the leash on fake service dogs by enacting similar laws to discourage pet owners from bringing untrained animals into stores, restaurants, libraries and other public places where their behavior can be bothersome.

— michael ollove, Washington Post, "Service-animal laws are getting tighter, with another state adding oversight," 12 May 2018
To the untrained eye, many White Sands moths look exactly the same: roughly one-inch wingspan, with fluffy gray bodies and wings the distinct white color of the gypsum dunes.

— laura poppick, Smithsonian, "Dissecting Moth Genitals In the Name of Science," 4 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'untrained.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.