20 Other Ways to Say “Out of Practice”

Are you looking for fresh ways to describe someone who’s a bit rusty at a skill or activity? Saying someone is “Out of practice” can sometimes feel repetitive. 

Instead, why not try using different phrases that add variety to your language? 

In this blog post, we’ll explore 20 alternative ways to say “out of practice” that can help you express the idea more creatively and accurately. 

Synonyms for “Out of Practice”

• Inexperienced
• Out of touch
• Out of form
• Out of skill
• Neglected
• Unseasoned
• Unskilled
• Underdeveloped
• Out of Shape
• Untrained
• Unfamiliar
• Out of condition
• Incompetent
• Underqualified
• Unfit
• Less proficient
• Outdated
• Uncoordinated
• Dormant
• Lacking Fluency

1. Inexperienced

Examples:

The new employee was a bit inexperienced with the software, so he needed extra training.

Despite her enthusiasm, Jessica felt inexperienced in handling complex projects.

I’m a little inexperienced when it comes to public speaking, but I’m working on improving.

2. Out of touch

Examples:

• He seems a bit out of touch with the latest technology after not updating his skills for a few years.
• I know I’m out of touch with the new policies, so I’ll need to catch up quickly.

3. Out of form

Examples:

• The athlete was clearly out of form after a long injury and struggled during the game.
• After taking a break from dancing, I’m feeling a bit out of form and need to practice regularly.

4. Out of skill

Examples:

• Since he hasn’t played the piano in years, he’s a bit out of skill now.
• Her cooking techniques are a bit out of skill, as she hasn’t been in the kitchen much lately.

5. Neglected

Examples:

• The old garden was neglected for months and now the plants are overgrown.
• I noticed my language skills were neglected over time, so I’ve started practicing again.

6. Unseasoned

Examples:

• The new chef is unseasoned in French cuisine, which is why the dish didn’t turn out as expected.
• Although she’s unseasoned in negotiation, she’s eager to learn and improve her skills.

7. Unskilled

Examples:

• After not using the software for a while, she realized she was unskilled at using its advanced features.
• I’m unskilled in DIY home repairs, so I usually call a professional for help.

8. Underdeveloped

Examples:

• His writing skills were underdeveloped, so he signed up for a creative writing workshop.
• I found my understanding of advanced math concepts to be underdeveloped, so I’m studying more.

9. Out of Shape

Examples:

• After a few months of inactivity, he felt out of shape and decided to join the gym.
• I’m out of shape for hiking these days, so I need to train before our next adventure.

10. Untrained

Examples:

• The new volunteer was untrained for the specific tasks required but quickly picked up the basics.
• My dog is still untrained in basic commands, which makes it challenging during walks.

11. Unfamiliar

Examples:

• Since he had never been to Japan, the culture was completely unfamiliar to him.
• I’m unfamiliar with the latest trends in digital marketing, so I need to catch up on industry news.

12. Out of condition

Examples:

• After months of not exercising, she was out of condition and struggled with the new fitness routine.
• The old equipment was out of condition and needed to be replaced to ensure safety.

13. Incompetent

Examples:

• His performance was deemed incompetent due to a lack of preparation for the important presentation.
• She felt incompetent at managing the team because she hadn’t received proper training.

14. Underqualified

Examples:

• The applicant was underqualified for the senior position, lacking the necessary experience and skills.
• I’m currently underqualified for the new job role, so I’m working on gaining relevant qualifications.

15. Unfit

Examples:

• After a long period of inactivity, he was unfit for the marathon and had to train more intensively.
• I’m feeling unfit for the physical demands of the job, so I’m starting a fitness program to improve.

16. Less proficient

Examples:

• She’s less proficient in Spanish than she used to be, so she’s taking classes to brush up on her skills.
• The intern was less proficient with the software compared to the seasoned staff, but he’s learning quickly.

17. Outdated

Examples:

• The company’s website was outdated and needed a complete redesign to stay competitive.
• His knowledge of old programming languages is outdated, so he’s updating his skills with new technologies.

18. Uncoordinated

Examples:

• After not playing soccer for a while, his movements were uncoordinated and needed practice to improve.
• The new team member appeared uncoordinated in the group project, so he was paired with a mentor.

19. Dormant

Examples:

• His artistic skills had been dormant for years, so he decided to start painting again.
• The project was dormant over the summer but is now picking up speed as the team returns to work.

20. Lacking Fluency

Examples:

• Although he’s learned a lot of French, his speaking skills are still lacking fluency.
• The new employee is lacking fluency in the company’s procedures, so he’s undergoing training.

Experiment with these phrases to find the ones that best suit your situation and help you communicate more effectively.