English Reference
Adjective

unskilled

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ənˈskɪɫd/ UK /ʌnskˈɪld/ un·skilled

adj.describing work that does not need special training or a high level of education. It also describes workers who have not learned a specific trade.

adj.relating to work or workers that do not require or possess specialised training, technical skills, or formal qualifications. Often used in economic contexts to categorise labour markets.


SIMPLE

The factory is hiring unskilled workers for the assembly line.

CONTEXTUAL

Many immigrants find their first jobs in the unskilled sector, such as cleaning or basic construction.

COMPLEX

Economists argue that as automation increases, the demand for unskilled labour will continue to decline, necessitating a shift toward vocational retraining programs.

Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun like 'labour', 'worker', or 'job'.

Care work is too often unfairly maligned as unskilled work and kept on low wages by an economy that favours profit over worker wellbeing.

The Guardian· 4 Sept 2026

Extremely unskilled in the kitchen … The Unlikely Cook With Awkwafina.

The Guardian· 28 Aug 2026

From un- + skilled.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated