amateur

1 being such only for recreation an amateur cabinetmaker, he derives immense satisfaction from finely crafting his own furniture Synonyms avocational, backyard, jackleg, nonprofessional, SundayRelated Words naive (or naïve), primitive, self-taught; amateurish, dilettante, inexperienced, inexpert, unprofessional, unskilled; uninitiated, unprepared, unqualified, unschooled, untaught, untrained, untutored; part-time, weekend

2 lacking or showing a lack of expert skill in every room there were amateur watercolors, apparently the work of the innkeeper's wife Synonyms amateurish, dilettante, dilettantish, inexperienced, inexpert, jackleg, nonprofessional, unprofessional, unskilled, unskillfulRelated Words curbstone, self-taught, uninitiated, unprepared, unqualified, unschooled, untaught, untrained, untutored; awkward, clumsy, ham-fisted, ham-handed, heavy-handed; crude, defective, faulty, flawed, primitive, unfinished, unpolished; beginning, entry-level, fresh, green, new, raw, unseasoned, untested, untried, would-be; incapable, incompetent, talentless, unable, unfit, ungifted, untalentedNear Antonyms able, accomplished, capable, competent, dexterous (also dextrous), gifted, habile, handsome, proficient, skilled, skillful, talented; experienced, practiced (also practised), seasoned, veteran; educated, fitted, initiated, knowledgeable, prepared, qualified, schooled, taught, trained, tutored, versed; all-around (also all-round), ambidextrous, versatile, well-rounded; finished, polished, slickAntonyms ace, adept, consummate, crackerjack, expert, master, masterful, masterly, professional, virtuosic, virtuoso

1 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 dabbler, dilettante, hobbyist, layman, nonexpert, nonprofessional, potterer, putterer, tinkerer Related Words all-rounder [British], generalist, general practitioner, jack-of-all-trades; aficionado (also afficionado), buff, devotee, enthusiast, fan Antonyms authority, expert, pro, professional, specialist

2 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 hack, hacker, inexpert, jackleg, trifler Related Words beginner, freshman, greenhorn, kid, learner, neophyte, newcomer, novice, rookie, tenderfoot, tyro Near Antonyms maestro, virtuoso, whiz, wizard; old hand, old-timer, vet, veteran Antonyms ace, adept, crackerjack (also crackajack), craftsman, expert, hand, master, past master, shark, sharp