unskilled

1 lacking or showing a lack of expert skill 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 Synonyms amateur, dilettante, dilettantish, inexperienced, inexpert, jackleg, nonprofessional, unprofessional, amateurish, 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 hired unskilled workers because they would work for lower wages Synonyms inapt, incapable, inept, inexpert, unable, unfit, unfitted, unqualified, incompetent, 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