amateur
Does it unpaid
An amateur does something for love rather than money—the word comes from Latin for "lover." An amateur photographer pursues it as a hobby, not a profession.
The word often implies lack of expertise: That was an amateur mistake.
Amateur can also describe nonprofessional sports: amateur boxing, amateur athletics.
As an adjective, it modifies nouns directly: amateur hour, amateur dramatics.
Inexperienced newcomer to field
- neophyteInexperienced beginner
- rookieInexperienced newcomer
- greenhornInexperienced, gullible newcomer
- traineeOne being instructed
apprentice · tyro · fledgling · newcomer · learner · newbie · tenderfoot · recruit
Recreational pursuer of interests
- dilettanteSuperficial pursuer of arts
- aficionadoKnowledgeable, passionate follower
- devoteeZealous admirer or follower
- buffAvid fan; also burnish
fan · dabbler · collector · tinkerer · weekend warrior · Sunday painter · home cook · enthusiast
Lacking ability or knowledge
- unprofessionalNot meeting workplace standards
- clumsyLacking physical coordination
- bunglingMishandling through incompetence
- roughUneven in surface
unpolished · crude · sloppy · ham-fisted · unrefined · rudimentary · makeshift · second-rate
Unpaid willing participant
- nonprofessionalOne lacking formal credentials
- unpaidNot yet compensated
- recreationalRelated to enjoyment activities
- leisureFree time for relaxation
club player · community theater · garage band · open mic · pickup game · intramural · fun run · charity match
Relating to universities
- club levelExclusive arena seating tier
- tryoutCompetitive evaluation for selection
novice
Inexperienced newcomer to field
trainee · apprentice · tyro · fledgling · newcomer · learner · newbie · tenderfoot · recruit · initiate
hobbyist
Recreational pursuer of interests
- dilettanteSuperficial pursuer of arts
- aficionadoKnowledgeable, passionate follower
- devoteeZealous admirer or follower
buff · fan · dabbler · collector · tinkerer · weekend warrior · Sunday painter · home cook · enthusiast · gardener
inexpert
Lacking ability or knowledge
- unprofessionalNot meeting workplace standards
- clumsyLacking physical coordination
- bunglingMishandling through incompetence
rough · unpolished · crude · sloppy · ham-fisted · unrefined · rudimentary · makeshift · second-rate · rough-hewn
volunteer
Unpaid willing participant
- nonprofessionalOne lacking formal credentials
- unpaidNot yet compensated
- recreationalRelated to enjoyment activities
leisure · club player · community theater · garage band · open mic · pickup game · intramural · fun run · charity match
collegiate
Relating to universities
- club levelExclusive arena seating tier
- tryoutCompetitive evaluation for selection
- amateurshobbyist, nonprofessional, dabbler, novice, beginner
- beginnersbeginner, novice, rookie, newbie, newcomer
- competition levelselite tier, top tier, mid tier, lower tier, upper tier
- competitor statusactive, inactive, retired, current, former
- fitness levelsfit, unfit, in shape, out of shape, athletic
- golf tournamenttrophy, title, winner, professional player, finals
amateurprofessional
Credentialed in one's field
pro · salaried · paid · career · contracted
- amateur wrestlingUnpaid competitive grappling sport
- amateur hourTime of inept performance
- amateur nightEvent for nonprofessional performers
- amateur theaterNoncommercial stage performance
- amateur sportsNon-professional athletic activities
- amateur detectiveNonprofessional crime investigator
amateurish, amateurs, amateurism, amateurishly, amateurishness