amateur
A-muh-tuh
Amateur (noun) means someone who takes part in an activity, sport, or art for enjoyment rather than as a paid profession. Example: “My uncle is a keen amateur who plays cricket every weekend for fun.”
noun
1
Someone who takes part in an activity, sport, or art for enjoyment rather than as a paid profession.
"My uncle is a keen amateur who plays cricket every weekend for fun."
"She's a serious amateur photographer who sells prints on the side."
"The tournament is open to amateurs as well as professionals."
2
Someone who lacks skill or experience at something; a novice.
"I'm a complete amateur at cooking, so please be patient with me."
"Don't ask me to fix the sink, because I'm just an amateur."
"Only an amateur would forget to back up the files before the update."
adj
1
Not done professionally; carried out by non-professionals.
"The amateur choir performs at the village hall every spring."
"He is an amateur astronomer who built his own telescope."
"The film was shot on amateur equipment but still looked polished."
How to use amateur
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who does something for the love of it rather than for money, or (informally) someone who's just not very good at it.
Common mistake
Don't confuse the neutral sense ("does it for fun, unpaid") with the insulting sense ("incompetent") — context decides which one you mean.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
amateur photographer
amateur hour
strictly amateur
talented amateur
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Word forms
- Plural
- amateurs
- Comparative
- more amateur
- Superlative
- most amateur
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
My uncle is a keen _____ who plays cricket every weekend for fun.
Etymology
From French amateur, "lover [of something]", from Latin amare, "to love".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for amateur
fleur
voyeur
masseur
liqueur
Pasteur
Lafleur
saboteur
monsieur
grandeur
raconteur
chauffeur
connoisseur
See all rhymes for amateur →
Frequently asked questions
What does “amateur” mean?
The word “amateur” means someone who takes part in an activity, sport, or art for enjoyment rather than as a paid profession. In plain terms, someone who does something for the love of it rather than for money, or (informally) someone who's just not very good at it.
How do you pronounce “amateur”?
“Amateur” is pronounced A-muh-tuh (/ˈæ.mə.t͡ʃɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “amateur” in a sentence?
Here is “amateur” used in a sentence: “She's a serious amateur photographer who sells prints on the side.”
What part of speech is “amateur”?
Depending on how it is used, “amateur” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “amateur” come from?
The word “amateur” comes from Latin. From French amateur, "lover [of something]", from Latin amare, "to love".
Is “amateur” a common word?
“Amateur” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “amateur” have?
“Amateur” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone who takes part in an activity, sport, or art for enjoyment rather than as a paid profession.
What is the difference between an "amateur" and a "professional"?
An amateur takes part in an activity, sport, or art for enjoyment rather than for pay, while a professional does it as a paid occupation. The distinction is about payment and status, not necessarily skill.
Does "amateur" mean someone is unskilled?
Not always. One sense of "amateur" simply means an unpaid enthusiast, who may be highly skilled. A second, more critical sense describes someone who lacks skill or experience, so context decides whether it is neutral or negative.
What is the difference between "amateur" and "novice"?
A "novice" is specifically a beginner new to an activity, while an "amateur" is someone who does something for love rather than money, regardless of experience. An amateur can have years of practice; a novice by definition does not.
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