Inexperienced

/ˌɪnɪkˈspɪərɪnst/

Meaning & Definition

adjective
Lacking experience or knowledge in a particular field or activity.
The inexperienced driver struggled to navigate through the busy streets.
Not having the skills or knowledge that are expected from someone in a particular context.
Her inexperienced approach to negotiation led to a less favorable outcome.
New to a job, task, or situation and not yet skilled in performing it.
The company hired several inexperienced interns for the summer to gain new perspectives.
Showing qualities of a beginner rather than an expert.
The inexperienced gardener made a few common mistakes in planting the flowers.

Etymology

The word inexperienced is formed from the prefix 'in-' meaning 'not' and 'experienced', from the Latin 'experientem'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

green around the gills:
refers to someone who is inexperienced or looks ill.
wet behind the ears:
refers to someone who is very new or inexperienced in a particular field.
new kid on the block:
refers to a person who is new to a particular environment or situation, often implying inexperience.

Related Words

Slang Meanings

noob
He's such a noob at video games; he doesn't know the controls.
rookie
As a rookie, she made a lot of mistakes in her first game.