Unskilled: meaning, definitions and examples

Use to describe someone who does not have special skills or training for a particular job or task. Often used in manual labor contexts.

• He was hired for the unskilled position at the factory.
• Many unskilled workers are seeking opportunities to gain new skills.

Use to describe someone who lacks experience or is new to a job, task, or field. This word does not necessarily carry a negative connotation; it can suggest a need for training.

• Although she's talented, she's still inexperienced in project management.
• The manager paired the inexperienced employee with a seasoned mentor.

Use to describe someone who lacks the required qualifications, certifications, or standards for a job or position. Often used in more formal settings.

• He was unqualified for the engineering position because he lacked a degree.
• The candidate was deemed unqualified based on her resume.

Use to describe someone who lacks the ability or efficiency to do a job or task properly. This word has a negative connotation and suggests a lack of basic ability.

• The project failed because of the incompetent management.
• She was deemed incompetent and was let go from her job.

Refers to someone who lacks specific skills or training often necessary for a particular job or task, but does not imply incompetence.

• The factory job required unskilled labor
• He's unskilled in programming but willing to learn

Describes someone who engages in an activity for pleasure rather than professional reasons, often implying a certain level of lack of expertise compared to a professional.

• She plays tennis as an amateur, not in any professional league
• The amateur photographer took some surprisingly good pictures

Carries a negative connotation, indicating a lack of skill and often implying clumsiness or incompetence in performing tasks.

• His inept handling of the situation made things worse
• She's inept at cooking; everything she makes turns out poorly

Indicates a lack of formal training or education in a specific skill set, but does not necessarily imply a complete lack of ability.

• Although untrained in first aid, he did his best to help
• She's untrained for the role but shows great potential