non-professional
non-professional — adjective
1. describing work, roles, or services that can be done without advanced study or s
describing work, roles, or services that can be done without advanced study or specialized job training
The clinic hired non-professional staff for reception and filing work.
before nouns for roles not requiring specialist training
The museum offers a short course for non-professional art guides.
Only non-professional positions are listed on this summer job board.
The report compares professional and non-professional care in small homes.
- non-specialist
often describes people outside an expert field rather than the work itself
- untrained
stresses missing preparation more than the nature of the role
- professional
connected with work requiring recognized training or status
- specialist
emphasizes expert knowledge in a narrower field
用法筆記
Usually modifies nouns such as work, staff, position, or care. Unlike sense 2, it focuses on the level of required training, not on whether someone is paid.
2. describing an activity or a person who takes part for enjoyment, community servi
describing an activity or a person who takes part for enjoyment, community service, or personal interest rather than for pay
Cyrus sings with a non-professional choir that rehearses every Thursday night.
before group nouns for unpaid artistic activity
The festival welcomes non-professional filmmakers from schools across the city.
Élise has remained a non-professional painter despite several gallery offers.
The team stays non-professional, so prize money is shared with the club.
- professional
earns money from the activity or belongs to that profession
用法筆記
Often used for artists, athletes, and community groups. Unlike sense 1, this sense is about unpaid or hobby participation, even when the person's skill is high.
常見錯誤
non-professional — noun
1. someone who lacks the formal training, qualifications, or recognized standing th
someone who lacks the formal training, qualifications, or recognized standing that specialists in a field are expected to have
The manual explains legal terms clearly enough for non-professionals to follow.
often plural after for when addressing a general audience
Adaeze asked a cardiologist, not a non-professional, to read the scan.
The workshop is open to non-professionals who want basic coding skills.
Courts rarely accept expert testimony from non-professionals in this field.
- professional
has recognized training or status in the field
- specialist
emphasizes expert knowledge in one area
用法筆記
Common in the plural when experts address the general public. It can sound more critical than sense 2 because it highlights missing qualifications rather than leisure participation.
2. someone who does an art, sport, or other skill-based activity for pleasure or to
someone who does an art, sport, or other skill-based activity for pleasure or to help others, not as a paid occupation
Esteban stayed a non-professional photographer while teaching science full time.
noun for someone unpaid in an activity
Romi was the only non-professional in the weekend tennis tournament.
Niran started as a non-professional baker at neighborhood food fairs.
The magazine profiled non-professionals who restore old radios after work.
- professional
does the activity as a paid career
用法筆記
Used for people in activities such as sport, music, photography, or crafts. Compared with sense 1, it usually sounds neutral or approving rather than critical.