unprofessional

UK: /ˌʌnprəˈfɛʃən^əl/

US: /ˌʌnprəˈfɛʃənəl/

US: (un′prə fesh′ə nl)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

un•pro•fes•sion•al /ˌʌnprəˈfɛʃənəl/   adj. 

1. against or opposed to professional standards or ethics:
   unprofessional conduct.
2. Show Business not done well or with what is considered good, professional quality;
   amateurish:
   a very unprofessional job of redesigning the kitchen.

See -fess-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

un•pro•fes•sion•al  (un′prə fesh′ə nl), adj. 

1. not professional;
   not pertaining to or characteristic of a profession.
2. at variance with or contrary to professional standards or ethics;
   not befitting members of a profession, as language, behavior, or conduct.
3. not belonging to a profession;
   nonprofessional.
4. Show Business not done with professional competence, as a play staged or an opera performed by amateurs;
   amateurish.
5. Sport nonprofessional (def. 2).

n. 

6. a person who is not a professional;
   amateur.

• un-¹ + professional 1800–10

un′pro•fes′sion•al•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

unprofessional / ˌʌnprəˈfɛʃən^əl/ adjective

1. contrary to the accepted code of conduct of a profession
2. amateur
3. not belonging to or having the required qualifications for a profession

ˌunproˈfessionally adverb