Synonyms of amateur

amateur 1 of 2

adjective

1

as in inexperienced

being such only for recreation

an amateur cabinetmaker, he derives immense satisfaction from finely crafting his own furniture

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inexperienced
• avocational
• nonprofessional
• Sunday
• backyard
• amateurish
• unskilled
• unprofessional
• primitive
• unprepared
• naive
• self-taught
• untutored
• dilettante
• unschooled
• untrained
• uninitiated
• weekend
• jackleg
• part-time
• inexpert
• untaught
• unqualified

2

as in amateurish

lacking or showing a lack of expert skill

in every room there were amateur watercolors, apparently the work of the innkeeper's wife

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inexperienced
• amateurish
• nonprofessional
• unskilled
• unprofessional
• inexpert
• dilettante
• dilettantish
• incompetent
• unskillful
• awkward
• unfinished
• new
• unprepared
• untrained
• untutored
• unschooled
• jackleg
• clumsy
• would-be
• uninitiated
• unqualified
• self-taught
• untaught
• primitive
• fresh
• unpolished
• flawed
• beginning
• entry-level
• defective
• ham-fisted
• untalented
• unseasoned
• unfit
• crude
• untried
• untested
• faulty
• green
• incapable
• ham-handed
• curbstone
• ungifted
• heavy-handed
• unable
• raw
• talentless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• professional
• expert
• skilled
• adept
• ace
• competent
• capable
• virtuoso
• talented
• able
• skillful
• master
• consummate
• virtuosic
• proficient
• masterly
• gifted
• masterful
• veteran
• seasoned
• experienced
• handsome
• accomplished
• dexterous
• qualified
• crackerjack
• taught
• knowledgeable
• prepared
• educated
• trained
• practiced
• initiated
• fitted
• schooled
• versatile
• versed
• habile
• polished
• ambidextrous
• finished
• slick
• tutored
• well-rounded
• all-around

amateur

2 of 2

noun

ˈa-mə-chər 

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

• tinkerer
• hobbyist
• potterer
• enthusiast
• layman
• dabbler
• fan
• nonexpert
• nonprofessional
• dilettante
• putterer
• generalist
• devotee
• jack-of-all-trades
• aficionado
• buff
• all-rounder
• general practitioner

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expert
• authority
• specialist
• professional
• pro

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

• beginner
• novice
• kid
• inexpert
• rookie
• newcomer
• freshman
• hacker
• hack
• trifler
• jackleg
• learner
• tyro
• greenhorn
• neophyte
• tenderfoot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expert
• master
• craftsman
• ace
• hand
• shark
• virtuoso
• past master
• veteran
• maestro
• adept
• wizard
• whiz
• crackerjack
• sharp
• vet
• old hand
• old-timer

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

Recent Examples of amateur

Adjective

The Sox said Roffe, 30, will oversee their strategy for identifying, evaluating and selecting amateur talent. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 5 Nov. 2026

Players said the proposal would cause a $400 million reduction in amateur signing bonuses for 2027. — ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026

Noun

The London edition of Frieze, a longstanding highlight on the global art calendar that draws an annual pilgrimage of high-net-worth collectors, advisors, dealers, curators, institutional directors and amateurs to the British capital. — Mahoro Seward, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026

Espada was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the second round of the 1996 amateur draft and spent nine seasons in the minors. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026