unprofessionaladj.n.
/(ˌ)ʌnprəˈfɛʃn̩(ə)l/, /(ˌ)ʌnprəˈfɛʃən(ə)l/, U.S. /ˌənprəˈfɛʃ(ə)nəl/ A. adj.
1. Below, contrary to, or failing to meet the standards expected in a particular profession; esp. improper or inappropriate in a professional context.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > inability > unskilfulness > [adjective] > unskilled in art or craft > not professional
unprofessional1770
amateur1814
unbusiness-like1824
amateurish1847
hackish1868
unbusiness1901
amateur night1910
amateur hour1925
do-it-yourself1959
DIY1991
1770 Another Let. to Mr. Almon 46 The outrageous, indecent, unprofessional pertness and calumny of a zealous young man.
1791 T. Swift Monster at Large 158 It is laughable to hear a Surgeon..give so lame and unprofessional a description of the Gash in her Groin.
1850 C. Dickens David Copperfield lix. 586 Our domestic arrangements are, to say the truth, quite unprofessional altogether, my dear Copperfield.
1899 Westm. Gaz. 17 June 3/2 He had not intended any disrespect to the Court, or to do anything unprofessional.
1935 Fortune Aug. 69/1 Pip-squeak bookies who were excited and unprofessional enough to name their winnings spoke of $3,500.
2005 J. Martyn Ringfort to Runway i. iii. 32 John Gallagher's rash comment shocked us both and it was grossly unprofessional of him.
2. Not belonging to a particular profession; non-professional, amateur.
ΚΠ
1770 Another Let. to Mr. Almon 105 All writers whether professional or unprofessional make use of many conclusions, inferences and deductions.
1806 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 15 299 The solution unfortunately having become a very common medicine with unprofessional people.
1869 E. J. Reed Our Iron-clad Ships vii. 137 To the unprofessional eye there does appear to be a ‘top-heaviness’ in armoured ships.
1917 Art World Mar. 415/2 At last..the unprofessional man refused to be awed by elaborate professional terminology.
2014 Washington Post (Nexis) 8 Jan. c3 They were dancing so freely and so beautifully... You really can learn from unprofessional dancers.
B. n.
A person who is not a professional or does not belong to the professional classes; a non-professional.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > inability > unskilfulness > [noun] > bad or rough workmanship > unprofessionalism > person
idiota1400
amateur1767
unprofessional1830
1830 J. Lawrence Pract. Treat. Domest. Poultry (ed. 6) xvii. 232 Thence our advice to unprofessionals, never to purchase without the presence and assistance of a practical man.
1863 C. Reade Hard Cash II. 244 The unexpected turn the evidence had taken..cleared Mr. Hardie with the unprofessionals.
1900 Bookseller Dec. 358/2 It is well suited to the unprofessional who likes to read something of composers and their work.
1992 Times 29 July (Life & Times section) 4/6 Most were young unprofessionals who spent a lot of time drinking and sleeping late before pottering about with powder paint.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.n.1770