Dilettante Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐ŸŽจ
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dilettante

[หˆdษชlษชหŒtษ‘nt/ or /หˆdษชlษชหŒtรฆnt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

art

A person who cultivates an area of interest, such as the arts, without real commitment or knowledge.

Synonyms

amateur, dabbler, novice.

Examples of usage

  • She was considered a dilettante in the art world.
  • His reputation as a dilettante preceded him wherever he went.
Context #2 | Noun

general

A person who has superficial knowledge or understanding of a subject.

Synonyms

shallow, superficial, uninformed.

Examples of usage

  • He was often dismissed as a dilettante by his colleagues.
  • His dilettante approach to politics was evident in his lack of depth in the subject.

Translations

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Origin of 'dilettante'

The word 'dilettante' originated in the late 18th century from the Italian word 'dilettante', which means 'lover of the arts'. It was initially used to describe someone who appreciates art without being a professional artist themselves. Over time, the term has evolved to encompass a broader meaning of someone who dabbles in various fields without deep commitment or expertise.


Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,084, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.