ENGLISH
REFERENCE

amateur

n. countable
C1 Advanced Oxford US //ˈæməˌtɝ// UK //ˈæmətɐ// am·a·teur Archaic

n. someone who does an activity for fun or as a hobby, rather than as a job. You use this to describe a person who is not a professional and does not get paid for their work.

n. a person who engages in a pursuit, especially a sport or artistic activity, on an unpaid rather than a professional basis. Often implies a lack of formal training or professional standards, though it can also denote a high level of devotion without financial motive.


SIMPLE

The local theater group is made up of talented amateurs.

CONTEXTUAL

Although he is just an amateur, his photography skills are good enough to be featured in national magazines.

COMPLEX

The distinction between the professional athlete and the dedicated amateur has blurred significantly as training methods and equipment have become more accessible to the general public.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

Borrowed from French amateur, from Latin amātor (“lover”), from amāre (“to love”).

Usage

Often used as a modifier before another noun ('an amateur photographer').

Pitfall

He is an amateur in playing pianoHe is an amateur pianistWhile 'amateur' can be followed by a prepositional phrase, it is more naturally used as a noun or an attributive adjective before the person's role.

Idioms1 entry

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