amateur

[ am-uh-choor, -cher, -ter, am-uh-tur ]

noun

1. a person who engages in a study, sport, or other activity for pleasure rather than for financial benefit or professional reasons. Compare professional.
2. an athlete who has never competed for payment or for a monetary prize.

   Synonyms: nonprofessional

3. a person inexperienced or unskilled in a particular activity:

   Hunting lions is not for amateurs.

   Synonyms: novice, tyro, dilettante

4. a person who admires something; devotee; fan:

   an amateur of the cinema.

adjective

1. characteristic of or engaged in by an amateur; nonprofessional:

   an amateur painter; amateur tennis.

amateur

/ -tʃə; ˌæməˈtɜː; ˈæmətə; -ˌtjʊə /

noun

1. a person who engages in an activity, esp a sport, as a pastime rather than professionally or for gain
2. an athlete or sportsman
3. a person unskilled in or having only a superficial knowledge of a subject or activity
4. a person who is fond of or admires something
5. modifier consisting of or for amateurs

   an amateur event

adjective

1. amateurish; not professional or expert

   an amateur approach

Derived Forms

• ˈamateurism, noun

Other Words From

• pro·ama·teur adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of amateur¹

1775–85; < French, Middle French < Latin amātor lover, equivalent to amā- (stem of amāre to love) + -tor -tor, replaced by French -teur (< Latin -tōr-, oblique stem of -tor ); -eur

Word History and Origins

Origin of amateur¹

C18: from French, from Latin amātor lover, from amāre to love

Example Sentences

An amateur magician himself, Carson possessed a quick and cutting wit, but in keeping it restrained, he clarified his greatest gift.

From New York Times

But critics say such a two-tier policy is unfair on the majority of women who play cricket - in the amateur game.

From BBC

The power of human connection, from the camaraderie among amateur home bakers to the euphoria of sports fans supporting their team, is not just part of Schur and Danson’s repartee.

From Los Angeles Times

They suffer the consequences of those jokes and amateurs' retelling.

From Salon

His well-produced lessons are popular with amateur players who are drawn to his his blunt charm and direct way of teaching and who respect that he had a previous pro run of his own.

From Los Angeles Times