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amateur

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noun

1
as in tinkerer
a person who regularly or occasionally engages in an activity as a pastime rather than as a profession an amateur photographer who has won a number of photo contests

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in beginner
a person who lacks experience and competence in an art or science a homemade doghouse that looked like it was built by an amateur who hadn't mastered basic carpentry

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun amateur differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of amateur are dabbler, dilettante, and tyro. While all these words mean "a person who follows a pursuit without attaining proficiency or professional status," amateur often applies to one practicing an art without mastery of its essentials; in sports it may also suggest not so much lack of skill but avoidance of direct remuneration.

a painting obviously done by an amateur
remained an amateur despite lucrative offers

In what contexts can dabbler take the place of amateur?

While the synonyms dabbler and amateur are close in meaning, dabbler suggests desultory habits of work and lack of persistence.

a dabbler who started novels but never finished them

When is it sensible to use dilettante instead of amateur?

The words dilettante and amateur can be used in similar contexts, but dilettante may apply to the lover of an art rather than its skilled practitioner but usually implies elegant trifling in the arts and an absence of serious commitment.

had no patience for dilettantes

When might tyro be a better fit than amateur?

The words tyro and amateur are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, tyro implies inexperience often combined with audacity with resulting crudeness or blundering.

shows talent but is still a mere tyro

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of amateur
Noun
Because Sasaki is not yet 25, he is considered an international amateur and is therefore not eligible for an MLB contract. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 13 Jan. 2025 Professional Forensic Investigation—while beyond the reach of amateurs, larger organizations and law enforcement agencies can access specialized tools, often powered by the same neural networks used to create deepfakes. Bernard Marr, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024 The Dodgers are also in the market for Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki, who will sign no sooner than Jan. 15, the beginning of the 2025 international amateur signing period. Newsweek, 5 Jan. 2025 Condense cookbooks Cookbooks are amazing sources of inspiration and guidance for amateur and experienced home cooks alike. Bridget Reed Morawski, Architectural Digest, 3 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for amateur 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amateur
Noun
  • Head to the Ouray Ice Park, a free place for beginners and experienced climbers to play on the ice.
    Mindy Sink, The Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2025
  • More than 30 coin dealers will have high quality coins for the beginner to advanced collectors.
    Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Again, avocational people being kind of ahead of the archaeological profession.
    Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2024
  • The avocational musicians rehearse three hours each Monday evening through the academic year, with two additional rehearsals during concert weeks.
    Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2023
Noun
  • Only novices believe that a system will work flawlessly.
    Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Entering the retail space as novices forced these bottle shop owners to face a steep learning curve.
    Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The Jansons being nonprofessional actors, their dialogue is often mumbled and lost.
    David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
  • An Embrace the Moment Excursion: A free event for a person living with any form of dementia and their nonprofessional care partner.
    Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 13 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • These services can range from making charcuterie trays to face-painting; providing character actors for kids parties to bounce houses.
    Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Most afternoons, the pool was alive with our big family, actually a pair of merged families, and, as time passed and our kids went into their high-school years, swarms of visitors.
    John McPhee, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • French Broad Chocolates invites holiday shoppers and enthusiasts to enjoy and explore its award-winning chocolate bonbons.
    Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Every year, thousands of product vendors, journalists, and gadget enthusiasts gather in an unreasonable city to gawk at mostly unrealistic products.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 11 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near amateur

Cite this Entry

“Amateur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amateur. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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