dilettante

[ dil-i-tahnt, dil-i-tahnt, -tahn-tey, -tan-tee ]

noun

, plural dil·et·tantes, dil·et·tan·ti [dil, -i-, tahn, -tee].

1. a person who takes up an art, activity, or subject merely for amusement, especially in a desultory or superficial way; dabbler.

   Synonyms: amateur

2. a lover of an art or science, especially of a fine art.

adjective

1. of or relating to dilettantes.

dilettante

/ ˌdɪlɪˈtɑːntɪ /

noun

1. a person whose interest in a subject is superficial rather than professional
2. a person who loves the arts

adjective

1. of or characteristic of a dilettante

dilettante

1. Someone who is interested in the fine arts as a spectator, not as a serious practitioner. Dilettante is most often used to mean a dabbler, someone with a broad but shallow attachment to any field.

Derived Forms

• ˌdiletˈtantism, noun
• ˌdiletˈtantish, adjective

Other Words From

• dilet·tantish dilet·tante·ish adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dilettante¹

1725–35; < Italian, noun use of present participle of dilettare < Latin dēlectāre to delight

Word History and Origins

Origin of dilettante¹

C18: from Italian, from dilettare to delight, from Latin dēlectāre

Example Sentences

Crystal does fine in this environment; he doesn’t come off as a tourist or a dilettante.

From Los Angeles Times

He dismissed Jurado as a dilettante whose ties to the L.A. chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America make her dangerous to public safety.

From Los Angeles Times

At the same time, the Trump rallies seem stale and he looks, more and more, like a delusional dilettante with the demeanor of a dawdling dweeb on downers.

From Salon

A dilettante prone to colorful tangents, he sees Molly as an object of fascination and a personal cause.

From New York Times

Supreme Court is calling upon all lower courts to play the role of amateur, dilettante historian.

From Slate

Related Words

• connoisseur