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amateur

3 syllables
Quick answer

As a noun, amateur means a lover of something. As an adjective, it means non-professional.

Meanings of amateur

10 meanings

noun

  1. now rareA lover of something.

  2. A person attached to a particular pursuit, study, science, or art (such as music or painting), especially one who cultivates any study, interest, taste, or attachment without engaging in it professionally.

    “The contest is only open to amateurs.”

  3. Someone who is unqualified or insufficiently skillful.

    “The entire thing was built by some amateurs with screwdrivers and plywood.”

  4. Someone who pursues a study or sport as a pastimeperson

  5. An athlete who does not play for payperson

adjective

  1. Non-professional.

  2. Created, done, or populated by amateurs or non-professionals.

    “amateur sports”

  3. Showing a lack of professionalism, experience or talent.

    “Duct tape is a sure sign of amateur workmanship.”

  4. Engaged in as a pastime

    “an amateur painter”

    “gained valuable experience in amateur theatricals”

    “recreational golfers”

    Similar: recreational, unpaid
  5. Lacking professional skill or expertise

    “a very amateurish job”

    “inexpert but conscientious efforts”

    “an unskilled painting”

    Similar: amateurish, inexpert, unskilled

Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).

Synonyms by meaning

adjective: engaged in as a pastime
adjective: lacking professional skill or expertise
Oppositesprofessional

Words that rhyme with amateur

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