Untrained

ʌnˈtreɪnd

adjectivemedium📊CommonLack of Skill
1 meaning3 questions

Definitions

1

Not having received the specific instruction or practice needed for a particular skill, job, or activity.

ʌnˈtreɪnd

adjectiveneutralmedium
Lack of Skill

Lacking the necessary skills or knowledge for a particular job or activity.

The rescue team consisted of untrained volunteers.

💡 Simply: Imagine you want to bake a cake but you've never learned how to. You're 'untrained' in baking! It means you don't have the skills or knowledge to do something well.

👶 For kids: Not having learned how to do something yet.

More Examples

2

Untrained dogs may not be able to follow basic commands.

3

Many companies are now offering job positions with less training or for untrained applicants.

How It's Used

Workplace

"The company hired untrained staff to reduce costs."

Sports

"An untrained athlete would struggle in a professional competition."

From 'un-' (not) + 'trained' (past participle of train, from Old French tra(i)ner 'to draw, drag').

The word 'untrained' has been used since at least the 16th century, and the term has often been used to describe people without a formal or specific education.

Memory tip

Think of someone who hasn't been to the gym or a class; their muscles or knowledge are 'untrained'.

Word Origin

LanguageEnglish (from Old French)
Original meaning

"To guide or direct, to teach someone the skills for a particular job or activity."

untrained staffuntrained dogsuntrained eyeuntrained workers

Common misspellings

untrineduntriened

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written