Language Research

amateur · adjective

/ˈæm.ə.tɜr/Full view

amateur

C1 doing something as a hobby and not as your job

Dictionary example:

an amateur photographer

Learner example:

Finally I would like to mention that I feel very confident in front of cameras, since I am an amateur actor. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)

amateur · noun C

/ˈæm.ə.tɜr/

amateur (HOBBY)

C1 someone who does something as a hobby and not as their job

Dictionary example:

This tennis tournament is open to both amateurs and professionals.

Learner example:

What I want to explain is that if an amateur sees a professional swimmer winning while wearing our equipment, he is surely going to think that our products helped him succeed, so the amateur is going to buy our equipment too. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)

amateur (NO SKILL)

C1 someone who is not good at what they do

Dictionary example:

I won't be giving them any more work - they're a bunch of amateurs.

Learner example:

I admit that I was an amateur, [which] is why I did not try to do any special "tricks" to impress all those who were watching me. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)