Unskillful — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

Unskillful (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

1. lacking qualities (as knowledge, skill, or ability) required to do a job

   "an unskillful editor can be worse than none at all"

   similar: inapt, incapable, incompetent, inept, inexpert, unable, unfit, unfitted, unqualified, unskilled
   related: ineffective, ineffectual, inefficient, amateurish, callow, dilettantish, green, inexperienced, raw, unprofessional, unequipped, unprepared, untrained, useless, worthless, disqualified, ineligible, wanting
   opposite: able, capable, competent, expert, fit, qualified, skilled, skillful, ultracompetent
   near: prepared, ready, trained, overqualified, accomplished, ace, adept, consummate, crack, experienced, practiced, seasoned, veteran, virtuoso, all-around, protean, versatile

2. lacking or showing a lack of expert skill

   "some painfully unskillful playing by the band's guitarist"

   similar: amateur, amateurish, dilettante, dilettantish, inexperienced, inexpert, jackleg, nonprofessional, unprofessional, unskilled
   related: curbstone, self-taught, uninitiated, unprepared, unqualified, unschooled, untaught, untrained, untutored, awkward, clumsy, ham-fisted, ham-handed, heavy-handed, crude, defective, faulty, flawed, primitive, unfinished, unpolished, beginning, entry-level, fresh, green, new, raw, unseasoned, untested, untried, would-be, incapable, incompetent, talentless, unable, unfit, ungifted, untalented
   opposite: ace, adept, consummate, crackerjack, expert, master, masterful, masterly, professional, virtuosic, virtuoso
   near: able, accomplished, capable, competent, dexterous, gifted, habile, handsome, proficient, skilled, skillful, talented, experienced, practiced, seasoned, veteran, educated, fitted, initiated, knowledgeable, prepared, qualified, schooled, taught, trained, tutored, versed, all-around, ambidextrous, versatile, well-rounded, finished, polished, slick