amateur 1 of 2

Definition of amateurnext
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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
Adjective
The overall layout feels designed by people actively using RV appliances, diesel heaters, amateur radio equipment, portable refrigerators, and mobile off-grid systems rather than simply checking boxes on a specification sheet. Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 29 June 2026 Draft prospects Major-league baseball’s amateur draft is set to begin July 11. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
Noun
Lai is also the first Asian amateur that the Bombers have signed in 12 years. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026 The current entry system for amateurs, which includes not only high schoolers but also international players who sign at 16, is hardly a model of economic efficiency. Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for amateur
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amateur
Adjective
  • The subtext beneath that statement is that Syd recognizes why Tina might be loath to take orders from a boss who is younger and, relative to Carmy, inexperienced in the business.
    Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 June 2026
  • Army investigations have repeatedly pointed to the same factors contributing to fatal training incidents including sleep deprivation, inadequate training and inexperienced leaders supervising high-risk exercises.
    ABC News, ABC News, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • Sholes, a printer and newspaper editor, was a bit of a tinkerer.
    Andrew Niemchick Britannica Editors June 17, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 June 2026
  • The 19th-century patent system rewarded tinkerers; corporate labs scaled systematic research; wartime partnerships mobilized national resources; and venture capital democratized risk-taking.
    David H. Hsu, Fortune, 11 May 2026
Noun
  • Ticket to Ride is a beginner-friendly route-building game across a map of cities.
    Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026
  • From beginner builds to advanced display-worthy creations, there are deals across every price point.
    Casey DelBasso, ABC News, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • Bartell, an avocational drummer and former public defender, had never owned or operated a concert venue before.
    George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • In addition, its luxury pricing will turn off many hobbyists and content creators who are scrabbling to make ends meet.
    Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 25 June 2026
  • The surge in demand for Beyblade has seen hobbyists lining up outside toy shops in Taiwan and Hong Kong, with some traveling as far as Japan to get their hands on the rarest models, which are being resold for up to $80 by scalpers online, 10 times more than the original price.
    Chris Lau, CNN Money, 24 June 2026
Noun
  • The free Apple Photos is approachable for photography novices but still powerful enough to satisfy those who want extra control.
    Michael Muchmore, PC Magazine, 29 June 2026
  • Authorities say five instructors, five novice tandem jumpers and the pilot died when the Pilatus PC-6 suddenly fell almost vertically near homes after leaving Nancy-Essey airfield.
    Antonin Utz, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026
Adjective
  • In its second year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has added new global program partners to its Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting, an international talent development program that supports nonprofessional screenwriters.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 8 June 2026
  • Despite its nonprofessional and online character, metajournalism is then regarded as an integral part of journalism itself.
    Steve Paulussen, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • Lewis, a formidable collector, accumulated these masterpieces alongside his daughter Vivienne, an equally impassioned art enthusiast.
    News Desk, Artforum, 25 June 2026
  • Pop culture and anime conventions have exploded in popularity across the United States, giving cosplayers and cartoon enthusiasts looking a place to celebrate their interests together.
    Zaire Breedlove, Charlotte Observer, 25 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Amateur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amateur. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

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