🇬🇧🇨🇳 amateur - 业余的 : English Lesson

Meaning of "amateur" ("业余的"), detailed definition, and a short video lesson below.

If someone is amateur at something, it means they do that activity for fun, not to earn money or as their main job. An amateur person might still be very good at what they do, but they are not a paid professional. For example, a kid who plays soccer after school just because they enjoy it is an amateur soccer player, even if they score lots of goals.

Watch and listen to this English flashcard to understand the word in more detail, with an easy example sentence.

My amateur robot-building skills created a machine that only knows how to bump into walls and apologize.

My amateur drum skills are so loud that even the goldfish moved to the quiet side of the tank.

Grandpa is an amateur singer, and every shower in the house has filed a noise complaint.

The amateur astronomer in our class thought he found a new planet, but it was just a crumb on the telescope lens.

The amateur swimmer practiced so hard at the pool that by the end, even his floaties looked tired.

On the sunny doorstep, an amateur baker kneads dough, an amateur painter splashes blue on old chairs, an amateur gardener plants bright seeds, an amateur musician strums off-key chords, an amateur photographer snaps silly faces. Every day they try new things for no pay, only joy. Neighbors laugh and clap; the amateur baker grins, tired but happy.

This word is at the C1 level, which means it’s part of advanced English. It’s used in sophisticated conversations, professional settings, and academic discussions. Words at this level help you express yourself fluently and precisely in nuanced situations.

Expanding your English vocabulary is one of the best ways to improve your pronunciation, spelling, and confidence in English. Watch the video above to memorize the word, understand its meaning, and see example sentences in action. Discover related words to grow your vocabulary naturally. Add words to your playlist for stress-free, effective learning—anytime, anywhere! Watch, learn, repeat.