nonprofessional

[non-pruh-fesh-uh-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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of nonprofessional¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; non- + professional

Example Sentences

“It’s a big leap for any nonprofessional,” Stone says.

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As he has done frequently, the writer-director works with a mostly nonprofessional cast, which adds to the sense of everyday lives torn apart by a brutal regime.

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They don’t get to be in the band, but as actors, they do a lot to support their nonprofessional castmates.

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Burke believes that his own interest in these people, often played by nonprofessional actors in his work, can translate to audiences.

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He and three other nonprofessional astronauts will embark on a mission called Polaris Dawn, which may launch next month.

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