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amateur Definition

ama·teur (am′ə c̸hər, -c̸ho̵or′; -ə tʉr′, -ə tər)

noun

  1. a person who engages in some art, science, sport, etc. for the pleasure of it rather than for money; a nonprofessional; specif., an athlete who is variously forbidden by rule to profit from athletic activity
  2. a person who does something without professional skill
  3. a person who is somewhat unskillful

Etymology: Fr < L amator, lover < pp. of amare, to love

adjective

  1. of or done by an amateur or amateurs
  2. being an amateur or made up of amateurs
  3. amateurish

amateur Synonyms

amateur

modif.

nonprofessional, lay, unpaid, inexperienced, avocational, dilettantish, amateurish, unskilled, inexpert, sandlot*; see also inexperienced.

amateur Synonyms

amateur

n.

nonprofessional, layman, layperson, beginner, novice, learner, dabbler, recruit, dilettante, probationer, aspirant, hopeful, tyro, abecedarian, neophyte, initiate, apprentice, do-it-yourselfer, hobbyist, putterer, freshman*, tenderfoot*, ham*, rookie*, greenhorn*, cub*, fumbler*, bungler*, clod*; see also beginner.

Antonyms veteran*, professional*, expert.

amateur refers to one who does something for the pleasure of it rather than for pay and often implies a relative lack of skill; a dilettante is an amateur in the arts, usually applied disparagingly to a superficial dabbler; novice and neophyte refer to one who is a beginner, hence inexperienced, in some activity, neophyte carrying additional connotations of youthful enthusiasm; tyro refers to an inexperienced but self-assertive beginner and generally connotes incompetence

amateur Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • enthusiastic: Surrounded by an army of enthusiastic amateurs running around desperate to please, nothing seemed to go right.
  • gifted: Porter had climbed extensively in Britain and Europe, with both guides and gifted amateurs like George Mallory.
  • keen: The magazine appeals to artists and illustrators of all abilities, from beginners and keen amateurs to professionals.
  • wealthy: It became a learned society including those who were making steps forward in knowledge and wealthy amateurs with an interest in science.
  • interested: The number of professional musicians and interested amateurs increased.
  • advanced: A I have a large cross section of abilities and interests on the courses from complete beginners to advanced amateurs.

Modifies a noun

  • dramatics: At Oxford, he engaged in amateur dramatics, expressing a wish to be an actor.
  • astronomer: Few UK amateur astronomers are aware how easily the LPS light can be filtered.
  • microscopist: Review by David Walker, a UK amateur microscopist.
  • photographer: Or are you a keen amateur photographer needing some new skills?
  • naturalist: In providing this training, the Trust is working to continue Britainâs rich tradition of amateur naturalists.
  • archeologist: More than one type of spirit appears for the occasion Just what can be achieved by amateur archeologists?

Modifying Another Word

  • strictly: Arguably it is Gary, the eldest of her offspring who exercises his endowment in a strictly amateur way, who epitomizes the family.
  • mostly: The crews are mostly two people, and mostly amateur rowers, who alternate between two hour shifts of rowing.
  • very: The setting up of Oswald seems a very amateur operation.
  • often: Often amateur photographers were attracted to the entertainments rather than the more educational or commercial exhibits.
  • only: It actually took nearly 17 minutes, because although they were professional terrorists, they were still only amateur pilots.

Noun used with modifier

radio: The courses are run in a friendly informal atmosphere by experienced radio amateurs.

Used with adjective complement

aspire: Camera shake looks plain amateurish, and we all know the ' professional look ' is the holy grail of any aspiring amateur.

Preposition: in

field: He was respected as a historian and as a gifted amateur in the field of archeology.