French word

amateur

Pronunciation

IPA/amatœʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounenthusiast

Example

C'est un amateur de photographie.

He is a photography enthusiast.

Illustration for amateur (enthusiast)

More examples

Il est amateur de sport.

He is a sports enthusiast.

Core concept

A person who pursues an activity for personal interest rather than as paid work, whether or not skilled.

Common phrases

  • être amateur de

    be fond of

  • amateur de musique

    music lover

  • amateur de sport

    sports enthusiast

Similar words

professionnel: A person who practices an activity as a profession.
passionné: A person who pursues a particular interest with strong passion.
pratiquant: A person who actively engages in an activity.

Definition in French

Personne qui pratique ou suit une activité par goût, sans en faire son métier.

Word origin

French amateur comes from Latin amator, 'lover', from amare, 'to love', and developed from a lover of an activity to a nonprofessional practitioner.

Usage tips

  • The noun usually takes de before an activity or subject, as in un amateur de photographie.

Other meanings

  • nonprofessionalnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word