AMATEUR Synonyms: 149 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

amateur 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of amateur next

as in inexperienced

being such only for recreation an amateur cabinetmaker, he derives immense satisfaction from finely crafting his own furniture

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

amateur

2 of 2

noun

ˈa-mə-chər

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of amateur

Noun

Because he is classified as an international amateur, teams will only be able to sign Sasaki with money from their international bonus pools. —

Cody Stavenhagen, The Athletic, 11 Dec. 2024 Alongside Laver and Roy Emerson, Fraser won four straight Davis Cups in the late 1950s and early 1960s, remaining an amateur in the hope of succeeding Harry Hopman as captain. —

Jamie Barton, CNN, 3 Dec. 2024 While England’s new No.3 Jacob Bethell bashed a quickfire 50 in his first-ever Test match at Christchurch a few days ago, Labuschagne looked like an amateur with the wrong-sized bat against Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. —

Tim Ellis, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024 Thus begins her plan to save the business with the help of the hunky town carpenter and an amateur all-male holiday dance show. —

Leigh Nordstrom, WWD, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for amateur

Recent Examples of Synonyms for amateur

Noun

On the other hand, longer breaks, especially those lasting months, tend to result in more significant losses, particularly for beginners.

Alyssa Hui-Anderson, Health, 13 Dec. 2024
For beginners, try the OXO mandoline or the Japanese Benriner No. 64 mandoline for more experienced chefs.

Lanee Lee, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024