unskillful

[ uhn-skil-fuhl ]

/ ʌnˈskɪl fəl /

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See synonyms for unskillful on Thesaurus.com

adjective

not skillful; clumsy or bungling.

OTHER WORDS FOR unskillful

untrained, maladroit, inept.

See synonyms for unskillful on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Also especially British, un·skil·ful .

Origin of unskillful

1350–1400; 1555–65 for current sense; Middle English unskylful unreasonable. See un-¹, skillful

OTHER WORDS FROM unskillful

un·skill·ful·ly, adverbun·skill·ful·ness, noun

Words nearby unskillful

unsinkable, unsized, unskilful, unskilled, unskilled labor, unskillful, unslaked lime, unsling, unsmiling, unsnag, unsnap

How to use unskillful in a sentence

In short, the conservatives were unfortunate, because they were unskillful and imprudent.
History of the Jews, Vol. V (of 6)|Heinrich Graetz
If the teacher is unskillful or lazy the remedy for poor recitations usually is, "Take the same lesson for to-morrow."
The Recitation|George Herbert Betts
In unskillful hands the frail dugout would surely have been wrecked or upset.
Travels in Alaska|John Muir
Thus the unskillful player had to root for it, while the boys, being called together, encircled him and jeered.
Revisiting the Earth|James Langdon Hill

Mollie and Betty, the two best skaters, rather hung back, letting the more unskillful Amy and Grace lead the way.
The Outdoor Girls in a Winter Camp|Laura Lee Hope