amateur

noun

am·a·teur ˈa-mə-chər How to pronounce amateur (audio)

-ˌchu̇r,

-(ˌ)tər

-ˌtu̇r

-ˌtyu̇r

: one who engages in a pursuit, study, science, or sport as a pastime rather than as a profession

She played soccer as an amateur before turning professional.

a tournament that is open to both amateurs and professionals

: one lacking in experience and competence in an art or science

The people running that company are a bunch of amateurs.

He's a mere amateur when it comes to cooking.

: devotee, admirer

I am a philologist or amateur of the language …

Phillip Howard

amateur adjective

an amateur athlete

amateurish

ˌa-mə-ˈchər-ish

-ˈchu̇r-

-ˈtər-

-ˈtu̇r-

-ˈtyu̇r

adjective

amateurishly adverb

amateurishness noun

amateurism

ˈa-mə-chər-ˌi-zəm

-ˌchu̇r-

-(ˌ)tər-

-ˌtu̇r-

-ˌtyu̇r-

noun

Did you know?

Should amateur only be used literally?

The earliest sense of amateur ("one that has a marked fondness, liking, or taste") is strongly connected to its roots: the word came into English from the French amateur, which in turn comes from the Latin word for “lover” (amator). This has led some people to assume that the word is properly used only in the sense “one who performs something for love rather than for money.” However, as is the case with so many other English words, amateur may mean two strikingly different things, referring to one who does something for the love of it and also to one who is not terribly competent at something.

Our earliest record of the word's literal sense comes from a 1777 source. By 1790, however, it was already being used in the somewhat condescending extended sense, as seen in George Rous’s description of Edmund Burke as “a bystander, a mere amateur of aristocracy” in his Thoughts on Government.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Under Elias, the Orioles have dramatically reformatted their front office, building out an analytics department and diving into international amateur scouting at a far steeper level than the organization had previously.

Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 18 June 2022 On March 4, the team dismissed vice president of amateur scouting Mark Kelley and assistant general manager of pro evaluation Ryan Stewart.

Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2022 On Friday, Davidson fired Mark Kelley, vice president of amateur scouting, and Ryan Stewart, assistant general manager of pro evaluation.

Phil Thompson, chicagotribune.com, 9 Mar. 2022 Additionally, the amateur draft was cut from 40 rounds to 20.

Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 29 Aug. 2022 Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith return to the baking tent with a new group of amateur bakers this fall.

Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 19 Aug. 2022 In addition to being an amateur, competitors must be no younger than 25 years old.

David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2022 Another group of amateur bakers compete on the most recent season of the popular show.

oregonlive, 14 Dec. 2021 Nothing strikes fear into the heart of amateur bakers quite like the idea of making homemade pie dough.

Casey Barber, CNN, 12 Dec. 2021 See More

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, going back to Middle French, "one who loves, lover," borrowed from Latin amātor "lover, enthusiastic admirer, devotee," from amāre "to have affection for, love, be in love, make love to" (of uncertain origin) + -tōr-, -tor, agent suffix

Note: Latin amāre has been explained as an original stative verb with -ē- (hence, *ama-ē-, comparable to *sta-ē- > stāre "to stand"), formed from a root present *ama-, going back to an Indo-European verbal base *h₂m̥h₃- or *h₃m̥h₃- "take hold of, grasp" (whence also Sanskrit ámīti "takes hold of, swears," Greek ómnymi, omnýnai "to affirm with an oath," presumably originally "hold fast to an object while swearing"). Semantically the development in Latin is hypothetically "to grasp the hand of" > "to treat as a friend" > "to love." Supporting the presence of the verbal base in Italic would be the form amatens, allegedly, "(they) have seized" or "they have received" in a Sabellic text (the Aes Rapinum of the ancient Marrucini). According to an older theory amāre may be linked to a group of expressive/nursery words, as Latin amita "aunt," *amma "mother" (presumed from derivatives in personal names), Oscan ammai (dative singular) "mother." Another point of comparison with amāre has been Old Irish námae (genitive námat) "enemy," if it goes back to a participial formation *n(e)-h₂m̥h₃-(e)nt- "not loving" (compare Latin inimicus enemy), though the verbal base *h₂emh₃- is not otherwise attested in this or any other sense in Celtic. Concerning the derivative amīcus "friend" see note at amiable.

First Known Use

1757, in the meaning defined at sense 1

单词	amateurism
释义	amateur noun am·a·teur ˈa-mə-chər -ˌchu̇r, -(ˌ)tər -ˌtu̇r -ˌtyu̇r 1 : one who engages in a pursuit, study, science, or sport as a pastime rather than as a profession She played soccer as an amateur before turning professional. a tournament that is open to both amateurs and professionals 2 : one lacking in experience and competence in an art or science The people running that company are a bunch of amateurs. He's a mere amateur when it comes to cooking. 3 : devotee, admirer I am a philologist or amateur of the language … Phillip Howard amateur adjective an amateur athlete amateurish ˌa-mə-ˈchər-ish -ˈchu̇r- -ˈtər- -ˈtu̇r- -ˈtyu̇r adjective amateurishly adverb amateurishness noun amateurism ˈa-mə-chər-ˌi-zəm -ˌchu̇r- -(ˌ)tər- -ˌtu̇r- -ˌtyu̇r- noun Did you know? Should amateur only be used literally? The earliest sense of amateur ("one that has a marked fondness, liking, or taste") is strongly connected to its roots: the word came into English from the French amateur, which in turn comes from the Latin word for “lover” (amator). This has led some people to assume that the word is properly used only in the sense “one who performs something for love rather than for money.” However, as is the case with so many other English words, amateur may mean two strikingly different things, referring to one who does something for the love of it and also to one who is not terribly competent at something. Our earliest record of the word's literal sense comes from a 1777 source. By 1790, however, it was already being used in the somewhat condescending extended sense, as seen in George Rous’s description of Edmund Burke as “a bystander, a mere amateur of aristocracy” in his Thoughts on Government. Synonyms dabbler dilettante hobbyist layman nonexpert nonprofessional potterer putterer tinkerer See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Recent Examples on the Web Under Elias, the Orioles have dramatically reformatted their front office, building out an analytics department and diving into international amateur scouting at a far steeper level than the organization had previously. Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 18 June 2022 On March 4, the team dismissed vice president of amateur scouting Mark Kelley and assistant general manager of pro evaluation Ryan Stewart. Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2022 On Friday, Davidson fired Mark Kelley, vice president of amateur scouting, and Ryan Stewart, assistant general manager of pro evaluation. Phil Thompson, chicagotribune.com, 9 Mar. 2022 Additionally, the amateur draft was cut from 40 rounds to 20. Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 29 Aug. 2022 Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith return to the baking tent with a new group of amateur bakers this fall. Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 19 Aug. 2022 In addition to being an amateur, competitors must be no younger than 25 years old. David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2022 Another group of amateur bakers compete on the most recent season of the popular show. oregonlive, 14 Dec. 2021 Nothing strikes fear into the heart of amateur bakers quite like the idea of making homemade pie dough. Casey Barber, CNN, 12 Dec. 2021 See More Word History Etymology borrowed from French, going back to Middle French, "one who loves, lover," borrowed from Latin amātor "lover, enthusiastic admirer, devotee," from amāre "to have affection for, love, be in love, make love to" (of uncertain origin) + -tōr-, -tor, agent suffix Note: Latin amāre has been explained as an original stative verb with -ē- (hence, ama-ē-, comparable to sta-ē- > stāre "to stand"), formed from a root present ama-, going back to an Indo-European verbal base h₂m̥h₃- or h₃m̥h₃- "take hold of, grasp" (whence also Sanskrit ámīti* "takes hold of, swears," Greek ómnymi, omnýnai "to affirm with an oath," presumably originally "hold fast to an object while swearing"). Semantically the development in Latin is hypothetically "to grasp the hand of" > "to treat as a friend" > "to love." Supporting the presence of the verbal base in Italic would be the form amatens, allegedly, "(they) have seized" or "they have received" in a Sabellic text (the Aes Rapinum of the ancient Marrucini). According to an older theory amāre may be linked to a group of expressive/nursery words, as Latin amita "aunt," amma "mother" (presumed from derivatives in personal names), Oscan ammai* (dative singular) "mother." Another point of comparison with amāre has been Old Irish námae (genitive námat) "enemy," if it goes back to a participial formation n(e)-h₂m̥h₃-(e)nt- "not loving" (compare Latin inimicus* enemy), though the verbal base h₂emh₃- is not otherwise attested in this or any other sense in Celtic. Concerning the derivative amīcus* "friend" see note at amiable. First Known Use 1757, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Phrases Containing amateur amateur dramatic amateur dramatics amateur dramatic amateur dramatics Kids Definition amateur 1 of 2 noun am·a·teur ˈam-ə-ˌtər -ˌchər 1 : a person who takes part in sports or occupations for pleasure and not for pay 2 : a person who takes part in something without having experience or skill in it amateur 2 of 2 adjective : not professional amateur athletes amateurism noun as in amateurishness a lack of the level of skill associated with an expert or professional the new defense secretary proceeded to criticize the amateurism of the nation's war effort up to that point Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance amateurishness dilettantism incompetence inability incompetency inexpertness unpreparedness inexperience clumsiness inaptitude unskillfulness ham-handedness crudeness heavy-handedness Antonyms & Near Antonyms professionalism expertness competence talent virtuosity masterfulness ability polish masterliness skill finish proficiency skillfulness adeptness See More
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amateur

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing amateur

Kids Definition

noun

adjective

noun