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a person who engages in a study, sport, or other activity for pleasure rather than for financial benefit or professional reasons.
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an athlete who has never competed for payment or for a monetary prize.
a person inexperienced or unskilled in a particular activity:
Hunting lions is not for amateurs.
a person who admires something; devotee; fan:
an amateur of the cinema.
characteristic of or engaged in by an amateur; nonprofessional:
an amateur painter; amateur tennis.
Contemporary Examples

Even for those who are not amateur engineers, access to drones is so easy that I have one myself: I bought it online for $300.
Buy Your Own Drone! Now Only $300 Online Clive Stafford-Smith April 27, 2012

Pritzker makes Treasury Secretary Jack Lew look like an amateur.
Never Mind the Middle—Barack Obama Pays Off His Rich Backers Lloyd Green May 10, 2013

Some adult performers in the business tend to think there will be a shift in amateur POV series.
Adult Entertainment Companies Put Google Glass Technology in Their Sights Aurora Snow June 2, 2013

According to the FAA, amateur drone operators are advised to fly their craft below 400 feet.
Soon We’ll Be Watching Whales By Drone Abigail Golden August 24, 2014

Not unlike the Oscars, the Razzies ceremony is a rickety mix of sharp wit, amateur dramatics, and musical pastiche.
The Worst Awards in Hollywood Sean Macaulay March 6, 2010

Historical Examples

It must always remain a variety for the amateur and for special localities.
The Grapes of New York U. P. Hedrick

One of them had the appearance of an amateur, the other was an artist, an engraver.
Tales And Novels, Volume 9 (of 10) Maria Edgeworth

I never did believe in that engine in the hands of an amateur.
Dorothy on a House Boat Evelyn Raymond

And he: That may well be, seeing I am an amateur and not in training.
The Memorabilia Xenophon

The truth is, that we much under-rated the American amateur at that time.
Fifty Years of Golf Horace G. Hutchinson

noun
a person who engages in an activity, esp a sport, as a pastime rather than professionally or for gain
an athlete or sportsman
a person unskilled in or having only a superficial knowledge of a subject or activity
a person who is fond of or admires something
(modifier) consisting of or for amateurs: an amateur event
adjective
amateurish; not professional or expert: an amateur approach
n.

1784, “one who has a taste for (something),” from French amateur “lover of,” from Latin amatorem (nominative amator) “lover,” agent noun from amatus, past participle of amare “to love” (see Amy). Meaning “dabbler” (as opposed to professional) is from 1786. As an adjective, by 1838.