amateur

Pluralamateurs

1. 1
   nouncountable

   A person devoted to a pursuit, study, or art, such as music or painting, who engages in it for pleasure rather than professionally.

   The tournament is open to amateurs as well as professional golfers.

   Though only an amateur, he discovered a new comet with his backyard telescope.

   Similarhobbyist, nonprofessional, enthusiast

   Oppositeprofessional

   Note

   The neutral working sense is drawn against professional, not against skill. A contest open only to amateurs shuts out those who are paid, not those who are good. The scorn belongs to the "bungler" sense, and where the two could collide, context has to show which is meant. An amateur who discovers a comet is being praised, not mocked.

2. 2
   adjective

   Not professional; taking part in an activity as a pastime rather than as a paid occupation.

   She remained an amateur athlete throughout college to protect her eligibility.

   Amateur radio operators must pass a licensing exam but earn nothing from their broadcasts.

   Similarnonprofessional, unpaid, recreational

   Oppositeprofessional

3. 3
   adjective

   Created, done, or populated by people who are not professionals.

   The earthquake's first images came from amateur footage shot on phones.

   An amateur production of the musical sold out the community theater for two weekends.

   Similarnonprofessional, homemade

   Oppositeprofessional

4. 4
   nouncountable

   Someone who lacks the qualifications or skill to do something competently.

   The negotiation collapsed because they sent an amateur to face a team of seasoned lawyers.

   Only amateurs would wire an electrical panel without shutting off the power first.

   Similarnovice, beginner, layman

   Oppositeexpert, professional, veteran

5. 5
   adjective

   Marked by a lack of professionalism, experience, or talent.

   The report was riddled with amateur errors that no experienced editor would have missed.

   Critics dismissed the film's special effects as amateur and unconvincing.

   Similarunprofessional, inexpert, clumsy, crude

   Oppositeprofessional, expert, skilled, polished

   Note

   Here the word grades like any judging adjective: work can look more amateur than a rival's, or be the most amateur effort on show. The plain "non-professional" use rarely allows this. It usually stands before a noun, as in amateur workmanship or amateur errors, and often points to telltale evidence: duct tape as a sure sign of amateur work. It is the adjectival twin of the "unskilled person" noun.

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