am•a•teurˈæm əˌtʃʊər, -tʃər, -tər, ˌæm əˈtɜr(n.)

1. a person who engages in a study, sport, or other activity for pleasure rather than for financial benefit.

   Ref: Compare professional (def. 11). 11

2. an athlete who has never competed for payment or for a monetary prize.

   Category: Sport

3. a person inexperienced or unskilled in a particular activity:

   Detective work is not for amateurs.

4. a lover or devotee of an art, science, etc.

5. (adj.)pertaining to, characteristic of, or engaged in by an amateur:

   amateur tennis.

6. composed of amateurs.

7. being an amateur:

   an amateur painter.

Origin of amateur:

1775–85; < F, MF < L amātor lover =amā(re) to love +-tor -tor

am′a•teur•ism(n.)