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Glite Dictionary
unbusinesslike

unbusinesslike

6.3
Not acting in an organized, efficient, or professional way at work
  • adjective
  • /ʌnˈbɪznɪsˌlaɪk/
translation icon : poco profesional
  • We cannot afford to be unbusinesslike if we want to meet our deadlines this quarter.

Examples

  • Driving straight to the Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston, we spotted Dr. Pirquet's white jacket in the crowded, unbusinesslike weekend lobby.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • When they were gone, Katie shook her unbusinesslike head.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • It was an impasse, and highly unbusinesslike.

    Jailhouse Rock (1957)

  • Unbusinesslike.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • His unbusinesslike attitude during the meeting frustrated his colleagues.

  • The proposal was full of unbusinesslike suggestions that would never work in a professional environment.

Synonyms

unprofessional
vsunbusinesslike
65 4.3

Not showing the skill or behavior expected of a trained person

focuses on lack of efficiency and organization in workplace settings
unworkmanlike
vsunbusinesslike
8.2

Not done with the skill and care of a trained person

highlights poor organization and conduct rather than only poor task quality

Antonyms

businesslike
15 4.3

Calm, practical, and professional in work or meetings

How Businesslike

professional
∞ 3.4
businesslike
15 4.3
efficient
424 3.0
unbusinesslike
6.3
sloppy
155 2.0

Surface Forms

unbusinesslike positive

Morphology

unbusinesslike = businesslike (transparent) = un + business + like

The word transparently means 'not businesslike', with un- directly negating the more familiar base adjective businesslike.

Etymology

The word unbusinesslike breaks down into un- 'not', business 'doing work', and -like 'similar to'. So something unbusinesslike is not 'similar to doing work' in a proper, professional way, and so it means disorganized and not professional.