Amateurs: meaning, definitions and examples

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amateurs

[ˈæm.ə.tʃərz ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

inexperienced individuals

Amateurs are people who engage in a particular activity for pleasure rather than as a profession. They lack the skill, experience, or knowledge that is usually associated with professionals.

Synonyms

beginner, dabbler, novice.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
amateurs	This word is used to describe people who engage in an activity without professional training or expertise. While it might not always be negative, it can sometimes imply a lack of skill or experience. The tournament is open to both amateurs and professionals. The amateur performance was charming, despite a few mistakes.
novice	This word applies to someone who is new to a particular field or activity. It's similar to 'beginner' but can be used in both formal and informal contexts. As a novice chef, he's still learning how to cook basic dishes. The novice skier cautiously made his way down the beginner slope.
beginner	This word is used for someone who is just starting to learn or engage in an activity. It doesn’t carry any negative connotation; it simply describes someone who is new to something. She is a beginner at playing the guitar, so she's taking lessons. The class is designed for beginners, so no prior experience is required.
dabbler	This word suggests someone who engages in an activity casually or irregularly, without serious commitment. It can imply a lack of seriousness or depth of involvement. He is a dabbler in photography, taking pictures only on weekends. As a dabbler in many hobbies, she never really masters any of them.

Examples of usage

Many amateurs enjoy painting as a hobby.
She's just an amateur, so don't expect too much from her performance.
The concert featured both amateur and professional musicians.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

sports

In sports, amateurs are athletes who do not get paid for their participation. They compete for the love of the game rather than for financial gain.

Synonyms

hobbyist, non-professional.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
non-professional	This term is used to describe someone who is not engaged in an activity as their main job or profession. It is neutral and focuses on the formal aspect rather than implying skill level. The competition is open to both professionals and non-professionals She sings beautifully, although she’s a non-professional
hobbyist	This term is used for someone who engages in an activity regularly for pleasure rather than for financial benefit. It has a neutral or positive connotation. She is a gardening hobbyist and spends her weekends in the garden As a hobbyist, he spends his free time building model airplanes

Word

Description / Examples

non-professional

This term is used to describe someone who is not engaged in an activity as their main job or profession. It is neutral and focuses on the formal aspect rather than implying skill level.

The competition is open to both professionals and non-professionals
She sings beautifully, although she’s a non-professional

hobbyist

This term is used for someone who engages in an activity regularly for pleasure rather than for financial benefit. It has a neutral or positive connotation.

She is a gardening hobbyist and spends her weekends in the garden
As a hobbyist, he spends his free time building model airplanes

Examples of usage

The Olympic Games used to be restricted to amateur athletes.
He's still an amateur boxer, but he's hoping to turn professional soon.

^{Context #3 | Adjective}

lacking skill or experience

When used as an adjective, 'amateur' describes something done by a person who is not skilled or experienced in that particular activity.

Synonyms

inexperienced, novice, unskilled.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
amateurs	This word is used to describe people who engage in an activity for pleasure rather than as a profession. It can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation, implying a lack of skill or experience. The competition is open to both professionals and amateurs. The painting looks like it was done by an amateur.
inexperienced	This word is best used when emphasizing a lack of experience in a specific area or field. It usually does not carry a strong positive or negative connotation by itself. She is an inexperienced driver and needs more practice. The team hired an inexperienced candidate for the position.
unskilled	This word is used to describe someone who lacks specific skills or expertise. It often has a negative connotation, implying that the person is not good at the task. Many unskilled workers are seeking jobs that offer training. The unskilled labor force faces many challenges in the economy.
novice	This word is suitable for describing someone who is new to a particular activity or field. It usually implies that the person is learning and expects to gain more skill over time. As a novice, he still has a lot to learn about programming. The class is designed for novices and covers the basics.

Examples of usage

The amateurish painting showed a lack of technique.
Don't settle for amateur work when you can hire a professional.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from French, meaning 'lover of' or 'one who loves', highlighting the passion behind non-professional pursuits.
It originally described someone who was involved in arts or sciences for personal enjoyment, rather than for financial reward.

Sports

Amateur athletes often compete in local or regional events, encouraging community engagement and healthy competition.
In the Olympics, certain sports allow amateurs to compete, showcasing talent without the influence of professionals.

Pop Culture

Amateur musicians frequently share their work online, creating rich, diverse music scenes outside of the mainstream.
The rise of social media has allowed many amateurs to gain popularity, blurring the lines between professional and non-professional artists.

Psychology

Engaging in amateur activities can foster creativity and improve mental health, as it allows for stress relief and self-expression.
Participating in hobbies without the pressure of professionalism can lead to higher levels of enjoyment and satisfaction.

Education

Many educational programs encourage amateur involvement in subjects like science or drama, enhancing learning through hands-on experience.
Amateur clubs and workshops often provide nurturing environments for skills development without the pressure of expert evaluation.

Translations

Translations of the word "amateurs" in other languages:

🇵🇹 amadores

🇮🇳 शौकिया

🇩🇪 Amateure

🇮🇩 amatir

🇺🇦 аматори

🇵🇱 amatorzy

🇯🇵 アマチュア

🇫🇷 amateurs

🇪🇸 aficionados

🇹🇷 amatörler

🇰🇷 아마추어

🇸🇦 هواة

🇨🇿 amatéři

🇸🇰 amatéri

🇨🇳 业余爱好者

🇸🇮 amaterji

🇮🇸 áhugamenn

🇰🇿 әуесқойлар

🇬🇪 ამატორები

🇦🇿 amatörlər

🇲🇽 aficionados

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,663, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

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14660 collegiate
14661 storey
14662 rendition
14663 amateurs
14664 magnesia
14665 chromosomal
14666 disbursement
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