nonprofessional

American  

[non-pruh-fesh-uh-nl] / ˌnɒn prəˈfɛʃ ə nl /

adjective

1. not a member of or trained in a specific profession.

2. Sports. not offering or engaged in for payment or a monetary prize; amateur.

   a nonprofessional league; a nonprofessional player.

---

noun

1. a person who is not a professional.

2. an amateur athlete.

nonprofessional British  

/ ˌnɒnprəˈfɛʃənəl /

adjective

1. not of, relating to, suitable for, or engaged in a profession

2. not undertaken or performed for gain or by people who are paid

---

Other Word Forms

• nonprofessionalism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of nonprofessional

First recorded in 1795–1805; non- + professional

Example Sentences

Nonprofessional counselors, including family and clergy, can still engage in this conduct, as can professional counselors outside of their paid practice.

From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026

Nonprofessional individual investors have driven much of the increase, according to data from Cboe Global Markets, a major operator of options exchanges.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 24, 2026

Nonprofessional conservators, such as Spears’ father, would also be required to register with the state’s oversight agency, the Professional Fiduciaries Bureau.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2021

Nonprofessional fishermen are not allowed to sell their catches, including amphibians and reptiles - with the exception of snapping turtles.

From Washington Times • Aug. 8, 2015

Nonprofessional actors like his leads usually need time to get used to a camera.

From New York Times • Jul. 5, 2015