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Definition of amateurish

amateurish

/ˌæm.əˈtɜːr.ɪʃ/
am · a · teur · ish
Adverb:amateurishly
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amateurish Lexical Profile

amateurish Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Done in an unskillful, inept, or clumsy manner characteristic of an inexperienced non-professional.

Example

"The film's lighting and sound editing were surprisingly amateurish given its substantial production budget."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for amateurish
Antonyms
View all antonyms for amateurish

Word Nuance & Usage

While 'amateur' can neutrally describe someone who engages in an activity without financial compensation, 'amateurish' is almost exclusively pejorative, implying incompetence or poor quality.

• Rhymes for amateurish

• Nearby Words

amaryllis belladonna
amass
amateur
amateurish
amateurishly
amateurishness
amateurism

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the early 19th century from 'amateur' (from French, ultimately from Latin 'amator' meaning 'lover') and the native English suffix '-ish'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Amateurish. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/amateurish
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