amateur
amateur Lexical Profile
amateur Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Engaging or engaged in a pursuit, study, or sport without payment; non-professional.
"The local theater group consists entirely of amateur actors who rehearse in the evenings."
Done in an unskilful, clumsy, or inept manner; lacking professional polish.
"The film was criticized for its shaky camera work and amateur editing."
• noun
A person who engages in a pursuit, notably a sport, art, or study, on an unpaid rather than a professional basis.
"The tournament is open to both professionals and talented amateurs."
A person who is inexperienced, inept, or unskilled at a particular activity.
"Fixing the electrical wiring is a dangerous job that should not be left to an amateur."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Amateur' simply means unpaid or non-professional and can be neutral or positive, whereas 'amateurish' is strictly derogatory and means clumsy, inept, or lacking skill.
• Rhymes for amateur
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 18th century from French 'amateur', from Italian 'amatore', and ultimately from Latin 'amator' ('lover'), derived from 'amare' ('to love'), originally referring to someone who pursues an art or pastime purely out of love rather than for financial gain.