amateur
gb/ˈæmətˌʊɹ/ us/ˈæmətˌʊɹ/
B1
English
~ 2000
amatőr, kontár, pancser
NOUN
B1
1
amatőr
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is an amateur [in/at something]
She’s an amateur photographer who loves taking pictures of nature.
Amatőr fotós, aki imádja a természetet fényképezni.
Many amateur runners joined the city marathon.
Sok amatőr futó vett részt a városi maratonon.
He started as an amateur painter but now sells his work.
Learner examples
I am an amateur cook.
Hobbiszakács vagyok.
My father is an amateur singer.
Édesapám amatőr énekes.
She is an amateur in tennis.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'amateur' with 'beginner'; however, an amateur can be very skilled but is not paid for the work.
Meaning
Person doing activity for pleasure
Collocations
keen amateur
|talented amateur
|amateur photographer
|amateur athlete
|amateur musician
Synonyms
nonprofessional (More formal term; emphasizes lack of professional status without implying skill level.)
|
hobbyist (Focuses on doing something as a hobby rather than work.)
Antonyms
professional (Someone who is paid to do the activity as their job.)
Themes
hobbies
|work
|sports
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Someone who does an activity because they like it, not as their job.
A person who takes part in a sport, art, or other activity for pleasure rather than for financial reward or as a profession.
B1
2
amatőr
B1
Usage pattern:
an amateur [activity/attempt/performance]
The show featured both professional and amateur actors.
A műsorban hivatásos és amatőr színészek is szerepeltek.
He gave an impressive performance for an amateur team.
Egy amatőr csapat tagjaként is lenyűgöző teljesítményt nyújtott.
Amateur astronomy is a popular pastime.
Learner examples
This is an amateur football match.
Ez egy amatőr focimeccs.
They are amateur actors in the play.
Amatőr színészek játszanak a darabban.
I like amateur art shows.
Meaning
Non-professional in nature or quality
Collocations
amateur performance
|amateur competition
|amateur club
Synonyms
nonprofessional (Neutral description of unpaid or informal status.)
Antonyms
professional (Describes work done by someone with formal training and payment.)
Themes
work
|sports
|arts
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Done by someone who is not paid or trained for the activity.
Relating to or characteristic of someone who is not paid or formally trained in a particular activity.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
[someone] is such an amateur at [something]
Don’t let an amateur handle the wiring—it could be dangerous.
Ne bízd kontárra a villanyszerelést, mert veszélyes lehet.
He’s a complete amateur when it comes to cooking.
Ha főzésről van szó, teljes pancser.
You can tell this report was written by an amateur.
Learner examples
I am an amateur at driving.
Még elég amatőr vagyok az autóvezetésben.
He is such an amateur in cooking.
Igazi pancser a konyhában.
She is a complete amateur with computers.
Common mistake:
Learners may mistakenly think this sense always means unpaid; here, it focuses on lack of skill, often with a negative tone.
Meaning
Unskilled or incompetent person
Collocations
complete amateur
|such an amateur
Synonyms
novice (Focuses on being new to something rather than lacking skill generally.)
|
incompetent (Stronger, more negative term implying inability to do something well.)
Antonyms
expert (A person with great skill or knowledge in an area.)
Themes
daily life
|work
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Someone who is not good at what they are doing.
An informal term for someone who is not skilled or competent at something.
Grammar
Dictionary form
amateur
IPA
GB/ˈæmətˌʊɹ/
US/ˈæmətˌʊɹ/
Syllables & stress
am - a - teur (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (am)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: amateur
Noun
- Base: amateur
- Plural: amateurs
Word family
Forms
amateurs
noun
Core family
amateurish
adjective
Related words
amateurism
noun
Negative and opposite forms
professional
noun B1
Advanced or less common
amateurishly
adverb
Expressions
amateur hour
1/ˈæmətˌʊɹ ˈaʊɚ/
fixed phrase
informal
Unprofessional situation or performance
A time or situation when people act without skill or professionalism.
Examples
- The meeting was completely disorganized—it was amateur hour.
- That sloppy presentation felt like amateur hour.
rank amateur
1/ɹˈæŋk ˈæmətˌʊɹ/
fixed phrase
informal
Completely inexperienced person
A person with almost no skill or experience in something.
Examples
- He’s a rank amateur when it comes to fixing cars.
- You can’t trust a rank amateur with such an important job.