First Known Use: 1777
Dictionary
amateur
noun am·a·teur \ˈa-mə-(ˌ)tər, -ˌtu̇r, -ˌtyu̇r, -ˌchu̇r, -chər\
: a person who does something (such as a sport or hobby) for pleasure and not as a job
: a person who does something poorly : a person who is not skillful at a job or other activity
Full Definition of AMATEUR
2
: one who engages in a pursuit, study, science, or sport as a pastime rather than as a profession
3
: one lacking in experience and competence in an art or science
— amateur adjective
— am·a·teur·ish \ˌa-mə-ˈtər-ish, -ˈt(y)u̇r-, -ˈchu̇r-, -ˈchər-\ adjective
— am·a·teur·ish·ly adverb
— am·a·teur·ish·ness noun
— am·a·teur·ism \ˈa-mə-ˌtər-ˌi-zəm, -ˌt(y)u̇r-, -ˌchu̇r-, -ˌchər-; -ˌtə-ˌri-, -ˌchə-ˌri-\ noun
See amateur defined for English-language learners
See amateur defined for kids
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Origin of AMATEUR
French, from Latin amator lover, from amare to love
Related to AMATEUR
- Synonyms
- dabbler, dilettante, hobbyist, layman, nonexpert, nonprofessional, potterer, putterer, tinkerer
- Antonyms
- authority, expert, pro, professional, specialist
Synonym Discussion of AMATEUR
amateur, dilettante, dabbler, tyro mean a person who follows a pursuit without attaining proficiency or professional status. amateur often applies to one practicing an art without mastery of its essentials <a painting obviously done by an amateur>; in sports it may also suggest not so much lack of skill but avoidance of direct remuneration <remained an amateur despite lucrative offers>. dilettante may apply to the lover of an art rather than its skilled practitioner but usually implies elegant trifling in the arts and an absence of serious commitment <had no patience for dilettantes>. dabbler suggests desultory habits of work and lack of persistence <a dabbler who started novels but never finished them>. tyro implies inexperience often combined with audacity with resulting crudeness or blundering <shows talent but is still a mere tyro>.
AMATEUR Defined for Kids
1amateur
noun am·a·teur \ˈam-ə-ˌtər, -ˌchər\
Definition of AMATEUR for Kids
1
: a person who takes part in sports or occupations for pleasure and not for pay
2
: a person who takes part in something without having experience or skill in it
— am·a·teur·ish \ˌam-ə-ˈtər-ish, -ˈchər-\ adjective <an amateurish actor>
Word History of AMATEUR
The English word amateur came from a French word which in turn came from a Latin word that meant “lover.” In English, amateurs are so called because they do something for the love of doing it and not for pay.
2amateur
adjective
Definition of AMATEUR for Kids
: not professional <amateur athletes>
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