amateur

Pronunciation: /ˈæməˌtʃʊr/ or /ˈæməˌtɜr/ (American)

Origin: From French amateur "lover of," from Latin amator "lover," from amare "to love"

Part of Speech: noun, adjective

Meanings:

1. (noun) A person who engages in a pursuit, especially a sport, on an unpaid rather than a professional basis.
2. (noun) A person who is incompetent or inept at a particular activity.
3. (adjective) Engaging in a pursuit without payment; nonprofessional.
4. (adjective) Lacking skill or expertise; amateurish.

Example Sentences:

1. Despite being an amateur, she won the local tennis tournament.
2. His amateur attempts at painting were charming but lacked technical skill.
3. The amateur theater group put on an impressive performance.
4. We need a professional for this job, not an amateur.

Related Words:

• Different forms: amateurish (adjective), amateurishly (adverb), amateurism (noun)
• Synonyms:
  • (noun) novice, beginner, dilettante, dabbler
  • (adjective) unprofessional, inexperienced, unskilled

Memorizable Tricks:

• Think of "amateur" as "ama-tour" – someone who does something for the love of it (from Latin amare, "to love") rather than as a profession or tour of duty.
• Remember that an amateur often has passion but may lack professional-level skills by associating it with "A-mature" – not yet fully developed or matured in their craft.