Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Not skilful; wanting, or not evincing, the knowledge and dexterity which are acquired by observation, use, and experience; bungling: said of persons or their acts.
  • Destitute of discernment; ignorant.
  • Unreasonable.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective UK Alternative spelling of unskillful.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • After all was not your side screaming about how unskilful he was and all.

    Think Progress » Bush Official Dan Bartlett Admits Authorizing Offshore Oil Drilling Will Be Unlikely To Win Over Any GOP Votes 2010

  • The mourner made him no direct answer; but endeavouring, with a trembling and unskilful hand, to undo the springs of the visor and gorget, said, in a tone of impatient grief, “Oh, he would recover instantly could I but give him air — land and living, life and honour, would I give for the power of undoing these cruel iron platings that suffocate him!”

    The Monastery 2008

  • An apology so full of displeasure instantly taught Mr Monckton the error he was committing, and checking, therefore, the violence of those emotions to which his sudden and desperate disappointment gave rise, and which betrayed him into reproaches so unskilful, he endeavoured to recover his accustomed equanimity, and assuming an air of friendly openness, said,

    Cecilia 2008

  • It was alleged that he was unskilful in the practice of medicine and therefore unfit for the duties of his position, a criticism suggesting that the governors understood the need for the hospital to be run by a bona fide doctor rather than a gaoler.

    Bedlam Catharine Arnold 2008

  • It was alleged that he was unskilful in the practice of medicine and therefore unfit for the duties of his position, a criticism suggesting that the governors understood the need for the hospital to be run by a bona fide doctor rather than a gaoler.

    Bedlam Catharine Arnold 2008

  • What some hail as a great day for Buddhism, I feared was a tremendously unskilful move which will just make life harder for all the people of Tibet.

    A Buddhist struggles to keep grounded about Tibet and China 2008

  • It was alleged that he was unskilful in the practice of medicine and therefore unfit for the duties of his position, a criticism suggesting that the governors understood the need for the hospital to be run by a bona fide doctor rather than a gaoler.

    Bedlam Catharine Arnold 2008

  • And thus I have known a man unskilful in syllogism, who at first hearing could perceive the weakness and inconclusiveness of a long artificial and plausible discourse, wherewith others better skilled in syllogism have been misled: and I believe there are few of my readers who do not know such.

    An Essay Concerning Human Understanding 2007

  • If they were watched by a few ships only, they might run the risk, trusting to their numbers and forgetting their inexperience; but if they are kept off the sea by our superior strength, their want of practice will make them unskilful, and their want of skill timid.

    The History of the Peloponnesian War Thucydides 2007

  • Laird to a point; but had the mortification to perceive that her efforts, like those of an unskilful angler, only scared the trout she meant to catch.

    The Heart of Mid-Lothian 2007

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