unprofessional
/'ʌnprə'feʃənl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Not exhibiting the competence, skill, or ethical standards expected of a professional person: Behavior or work that is below the accepted standards of a particular profession.
- Not engaged in a profession or as a means of livelihood: Undertaken by someone who is not a qualified expert in the field.
Usage
The word "unprofessional" is used to describe conduct, work, language, or attitudes that fail to meet the established norms, ethics, or quality of a specific profession. It implies a lack of the formal training, seriousness, or decorum associated with professional activity.
Examples
- Adjective:
- His unprofessional behavior at the client meeting damaged the company's reputation.
- The report was criticized for its unprofessional formatting and numerous spelling errors.
- It is considered unprofessional to use informal language in official correspondence.
Advanced Usage
- "to be deemed unprofessional": to be judged or considered as not meeting professional standards.
- Sharing confidential client information was deemed unprofessional and led to disciplinary action.
- "unprofessional in the extreme": an emphatic way to describe something as highly unprofessional.
- The lawyer's outburst in court was unprofessional in the extreme.
Variants and Related Words
- Unprofessionally (adverb): In a manner not conforming to professional standards.
- The project was managed unprofessionally, causing many delays.
- Professionalism (noun): The competence or skill expected of a professional. (Note: This is the antonymic concept).
- Her professionalism was evident in every aspect of her work.
Synonyms
- Amateurish: Characteristic of an amateur; not expert or skilled.
- Improper: Not in accordance with accepted rules or standards.
- Incompetent: Not having the necessary skills to do something successfully.
Antonyms
- Professional: Exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace; competent.
- Expert: Having or involving a great deal of knowledge or skill in a particular area.
Related Phrases
- Unprofessional conduct: A specific term often used in codes of ethics to describe actions that violate professional standards.
- The doctor faced a hearing for alleged unprofessional conduct.
- Unprofessional attitude: A mindset or approach that lacks the seriousness or respect required in a professional setting.
- His unprofessional attitude was a major factor in him not getting the promotion.
Adjective
- not characteristic of or befitting a profession or one engaged in a profession
- described in unprofessional language so that high school students could understand it
- was censured for unprofessional conduct
- unprofessional repairs