Meaning · noun
amateur
- a person who pursues an activity, art, or sport for pleasure rather than professionally
- an unskilled or non-serious practitioner (often pejorative)
In a sentence
Il torneo è aperto sia a dilettanti che a professionisti.
The tournament is open to both amateurs and professionals.
Non lasciare questo lavoro delicato a un dilettante.
Don't leave this delicate work to an amateur.
Dipingi davvero bene per essere una dilettante!
You paint really well for an amateur!
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|
| dilettante | singular |
| dilettanti | plural |
Usage notes
- Invariable gender form: 'il dilettante' (m.), 'la dilettante' (f.), plural 'i dilettanti' / 'le dilettanti'.
- Can be neutral (non-professional) or pejorative (someone careless or amateurish).
Meaning · adjective
amateur
- practicing an activity as an amateur rather than professionally
- inexperienced or unskillful; amateurish
In a sentence
È solo un musicista dilettante, ma suona con grande passione.
He is only an amateur musician, but he plays with great passion.
Mio zio è un fotografo dilettante di grande talento.
My uncle is a very talented amateur photographer.
La competizione è aperta esclusivamente ad atleti dilettanti.
The competition is open exclusively to amateur athletes.
Word forms (4)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|
| dilettante | masculine · singular |
| dilettante | feminine · singular |
| dilettanti | masculine · plural |
| dilettanti | feminine · plural |
Usage notes
- Invariable in gender: 'un pittore dilettante', 'una pittrice dilettante'.
- When describing objects, results, or work, 'dilettantesco' is normally used instead of 'dilettante'.
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