Amateur: meaning, definitions and examples

This term describes someone who engages in a particular activity for pleasure rather than as a profession. It can imply passion and enthusiasm, but it may also suggest a lack of skill or experience.

• He is an amateur photographer who takes pictures in his free time.
• The music sounded amateur, but you could sense their passion.

This term refers to someone who is not working in a particular field as their main occupation. It has a neutral connotation and focuses on the lack of professional status rather than skill level.

• Non-professional actors can sometimes bring a raw, genuine quality to a film.
• The event encouraged participation from non-professional athletes.

This word is used for someone who is new and inexperienced in a field or activity. It suggests a clear lack of experience and often implies that the person has much to learn.

• He is a novice at cooking, so he often needs help with basic recipes.
• As a novice driver, she still gets nervous on the highway.

This word is used for someone who is just starting to learn or do something. It emphasizes the initial stage of their journey.

• She is a beginner in French, so she knows only a few basic phrases.
• There is a special class for beginners in yoga.

Used when referring to someone who engages in an activity as a hobby and not professionally.

• She’s an amateur photographer who spends weekends capturing beautiful landscapes.
• The local amateur theater group put on an impressive performance.

Best used when highlighting the fact that someone is not receiving payment for their work or services.

• She works as an unpaid intern at the company.
• Many non-profit organizations rely on unpaid volunteers.

This word has a negative connotation and is used to describe behavior or work that does not meet the standards expected in a professional context.

• His unprofessional behavior was criticized by his colleagues.
• Arriving late to meetings regularly is considered unprofessional.

Suitable when mentioning someone who lacks professional training or deep knowledge in a specific field.

• As a non-expert in law, I find legal documents very confusing.
• The guide is written in a way that even a non-expert can understand.