Unprofessional
/ˌʌnprəˈfɛʃənəl/
Definitions
Not conforming to the standards of a profession; lacking the skill, good judgment, or correct behavior expected of a person who is trained or experienced in a particular job or activity.
/ˌʌnprəˈfɛʃənəl/
Lacking the skill, good judgment, or correct behavior expected of a person who is trained or experienced in a particular job or activity.
The email was full of unprofessional language and should not have been sent.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're a doctor, but you forget to wash your hands before treating a patient. That would be unprofessional! It's when someone doesn't act how they're expected to at work or in a specific situation.
👶 For kids: When someone doesn't act like they're supposed to at work or school.
More Examples
His unprofessional comments during the presentation made the company look bad.
Wearing casual clothes to a formal event is often considered unprofessional.
The company's response to the crisis was criticized as unprofessional.
How It's Used
"His unprofessional conduct during the meeting cost him the promotion."
"The teacher's unprofessional behavior toward the students was reported to the principal."
"Her unprofessional appearance at the interview raised some eyebrows."
Synonyms
From 'un-' (not) + 'professional' (relating to a profession), originating in the 19th century.
The term became more prevalent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the rise of formalized professions and business practices.
Memory tip
Think of someone who acts like a clown in a serious job – that's unprofessional.