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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

Example 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
Adrián Morejón’s $11 million bonus set a franchise record for an amateur and blew the organization past its tax-free allotment. Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025 The study also says a group of German amateurs and professionals began studying microlepidoptera, tiny moths and butterflies, in recent years, renewing interest in the subject. Rhiannon Saegert, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2025 Tennis is an infuriating sport, and most players, amateur or professional, will have experienced flashes of self-loathing. Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025 The lone amateur in the field this week, Jackson Koivun, shot an impressive even par 72 at Bay Hill for the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for amateur
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amateur
Noun
  • This bundle focuses primarily on Microsoft Excel, offering beginner, intermediate, and advanced courses.
    Gene Marks, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
  • The Colorado Women’s Intro to Mountain Biking camp, led by women instructors and coaches, is designed for beginners with little or no mountain biking experience.
    Tykesha Spivey Burton, Essence, 8 Mar. 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
  • Despite his impressive resume that spans two Group of Seven central banks and major investment firms, Carney is a political novice.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Probationary employees aren't necessarily novices, though.
    Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Eventually, the camera leaves the school grounds and begins to follow two sisters; they’re played by nonprofessional actors Rojina Esmaeili and Saba Vahedyousefi, and exhibit the exact combination of precociousness and lack of self-awareness that usually characterize these types of screen moppets.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 Feb. 2025
  • The movie features a number of nonprofessional actors and men who were formerly incarcerated at the maximum security prison.
    Tommy McArdle, People.com, 8 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The interaction between Bascombe and Adam depicts the challenges for parents looking to decode kids’ online language.
    Rachel Hale, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Pee-Wee falls off his bicycle and crashes in front of a group of watching kids.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • With a 26% discount, this outdoor security camera is a must-have for serious security enthusiasts.
    Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 25 Mar. 2025
  • By the 1980s and 1990s, Japanese sports cars had reached a golden age, offering enthusiasts a mix of affordability, performance, and innovation.
    Josh Max, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Amateur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amateur. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

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