/ ˈæmətə(r); NAmE ; -tʃə(r)/ noun , adjective
■ noun
1.
a person who takes part in a sport or other activity for enjoyment, not as a job :
The tournament is open to both amateurs and professionals.
2.
(usually disapproving ) a person who is not skilled :
This work was done by a bunch of amateurs!
OPP professional
► ama·teur·ism / ˈæmətərɪzəm; NAmE ; -tʃə-/ noun [ U ]:
New rules on amateurism allow payment for promotional work.
■ adjective
1.
[ usually before noun ] doing sth for enjoyment or interest, not as a job :
an amateur photographer
2.
[ usually before noun ] done for enjoyment, not as a job :
amateur athletics
3.
= amateurish
OPP professional
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WORD ORIGIN
late 18th cent.: from French , from Italian amatore , from Latin amator lover, from amare to love.