amateur

Definitions

From Latin amātor 'a lover' (amāt- 'love' + -or 'agent'), borrowed through French. An amateur is literally 'one who loves' the activity — doing it for love, not money. From 'lover of an art' the word slid to 'not a paid professional,' which is why it can sound like a faint put-down today.

Why It Means This

The 'for the love of it' core never left: an amateur photographer shoots because they love it, not to get paid. The slide toward 'unskilled' is a side effect of equating money with competence — which is exactly why calling pro work 'amateur' stings.

Common Collocations

• 1.amateur photographer业余摄影师
• 2.amateur athlete业余运动员
• 3.talented amateur有天赋的业余者
• 4.amateur dramatics业余戏剧
• 5.amateur hour外行表现

Example Sentences

• 1.

  She's a talented amateur who has never sold a single painting.

• 2.

  The tournament is open to both amateurs and professionals.

• 3.

  He shot the whole film with amateur equipment in his garage.

Easily Confused

amateur vs novice — an amateur does something out of love and may be highly skilled (a gifted amateur musician); a novice is simply a beginner, regardless of motive. Don't call an expert hobbyist a novice.