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

as in inexperienced

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

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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

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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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of amateur

Adjective

An amateur inventor played by Tom Stourton creates the first moving image machine to follow the work of an all-ladies ghost-hunting society who believe the gruesome murders across East London are not being carried out by a man, but a monster. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026 Born in 1865 into a wealthy family of landowners and wine merchants, Fayet learned to paint alongside his father and uncle, both amateur artists. — Julie Coe, Architectural Digest, 20 Oct. 2026

Noun

Investors follow, with professionals leading the way and amateurs jumping in later. — Ruchir Sharma, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026 The former amateur champ, who looks great in a bikini, is working with coach Dirk Dzemski. — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for amateur

Recent Examples of Synonyms for amateur

Adjective

Right tackle Joe Alt (neck) and left guard Kayode Awosika (fibula) remain out, meaning rookie center Jake Slaughter will continue to anchor a front that has featured several inexperienced players over the last two games.

— Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
These experienced and skilled athletes, who are often 22 or 23 years old, are appealing to coaches, especially when compared with inexperienced and physically less developed freshmen.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of inexperienced

Noun

Classes range from beginner-friendly lessons, like learning how to use a machine, to teaching intermediate skills, like hemming pants or installing a zipper.

— Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
Ski Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is one of the hardest mountains in North America, with only 10 percent of its terrain meant for beginners.

— Lindsay Cohn, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of beginner

Adjective

Professional and avocational archaeologists from around the state will bring to life the cultures of Colorado’s past.

— Laura Daily, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2026
Bartell, an avocational drummer and former public defender, had never owned or operated a concert venue before.

— George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026

Definition of avocational

Noun

Over the past month or so, these kinds of unexpected projects have gone viral with incredible frequency thanks to new AI tools, as hobbyists take apart games and then rebuild them for new platforms.

— Andrew Webster, The Verge, 23 Oct. 2026
Golfers, runners, birdwatchers, bikers, anglers and hobbyists of all stripes in and around Washington have long found common ground on the grassy peninsula of East Potomac Park.

— Sophia Solano, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of hobbyist

Noun

To capture some of that essence, Guitar Center is trying to make its stores a place to hang out for novices and pros alike.

— Phil Wahba, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
In the latest, The Big Cats Dance Party, a high-profile case falls to a novice sleuth while the agency’s founder is away.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of novice

Adjective

Also partly filled with nonprofessional young actors, Mitić’s hair-raising debut makes that French first feature look sunny by comparison.

— Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026
Healthcare programs, such as nursing, are among the programs eligible for the higher limit — though such degrees were initially deemed nonprofessional and briefly capped how much money could be borrowed to pursue them.

— Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 21 July 2026

Definition of nonprofessional

Noun

The blog got picked up by a larger Brooklyn real estate website, Brownstoner, and developed a dedicated online following of architecture enthusiasts and aspiring DIYers.

— Sophie Caldwell,Valentina Duarte, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
Egyptology enthusiasts and other visitors stood in a messy single-file line with phone cameras in hand, some with selfie sticks and most with bags under their eyes from waking up so early.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of enthusiast

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amassing

amateur

amateurish

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“Amateur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amateur. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of amateur

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Synonyms of amateur

adjective

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to amateur

10 Words That Come from 'Mother'

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on amateur

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