inexpert

1 lacking or showing a lack of expert skill an inexpert attempt at putting on an outdoor concert Synonyms amateur, dilettante, dilettantish, inexperienced, amateurish, jackleg, nonprofessional, unprofessional, unskilled, unskillfulRelated Words curbstone, self-taught, uninitiated, unprepared, unqualified, unschooled, untaught, untrained, untutored; awkward, clumsy, ham-fisted, ham-handed, heavy-handed; crude, defective, faulty, flawed, primitive, unfinished, unpolished; beginning, entry-level, fresh, green, new, raw, unseasoned, untested, untried, would-be; incapable, incompetent, talentless, unable, unfit, ungifted, untalentedNear Antonyms able, accomplished, capable, competent, dexterous (also dextrous), gifted, habile, handsome, proficient, skilled, skillful, talented; experienced, practiced (also practised), seasoned, veteran; educated, fitted, initiated, knowledgeable, prepared, qualified, schooled, taught, trained, tutored, versed; all-around (also all-round), ambidextrous, versatile, well-rounded; finished, polished, slickAntonyms ace, adept, consummate, crackerjack, expert, master, masterful, masterly, professional, virtuosic, virtuoso

2 lacking qualities (as knowledge, skill, or ability) required to do a job the inexpert mechanic only made the problem worse—and charged me a fortune for doing it Synonyms inapt, incapable, inept, incompetent, unable, unfit, unfitted, unqualified, unskilled, unskillfulRelated Words ineffective, ineffectual, inefficient; amateurish, callow, dilettantish, green, inexperienced, raw, unprofessional; unequipped, unprepared, untrained; useless, worthless; disqualified, ineligible; wantingNear Antonyms prepared, ready, trained; overqualified; accomplished, ace, adept, consummate, crack, experienced, practiced (also practised), seasoned, veteran, virtuoso; all-around (also all-round), protean, versatileAntonyms able, capable, competent, expert, fit, qualified, skilled, skillful, ultracompetent

3 showing or marked by a lack of skill and tact (as in dealing with a situation) well-meaning but inexpert expressions of sympathy from friends after the funeral Synonyms botched, bungling, clumsy, fumbled, inept, awkward, maladroitRelated Words amateur, amateurish, crude, green, incompetent, ineffectual, inefficient, inexperienced, unpolished, unprofessional, unskilled, unskillful; careless, sloppy, tacky, tactless, undiplomatic; ill-advised, ineffective, ineffectual, misdirected, misguidedNear Antonyms able, accomplished, adept, capable, clever, competent, consummate, crackerjack, expert, masterful, masterly, polished, professional, proficient, skilled, skillful, talented; diplomatic, easy, effortless, gracious, smooth, tactfulAntonyms adroit, deft, dexterous (also dextrous), facile

a person who lacks experience and competence in an art or science the shoddy tiling in the bathroom was a sure sign that it was the work of an inexpert Synonyms hack, hacker, amateur, jackleg, triflerRelated Words beginner, freshman, greenhorn, kid, learner, neophyte, newcomer, novice, rookie, tenderfoot, tyroNear Antonyms maestro, virtuoso, whiz, wizard; old hand, old-timer, vet, veteranAntonyms ace, adept, crackerjack (also crackajack), craftsman, expert, hand, master, past master, shark, sharp