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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

amateur

/ˈæməˌtɝ/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 1:05
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Stress the first syllable: AM.

The ending can use t or the ch sound in chair. Both versions have a light middle vowel.

3 syllables · Stress on syllable 1

TRY SAYING
An amateur photographer took the picture.

APG practice sentence · CC BY-SA 4.0

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

What does amateur mean?

noun

  1. A person attached to a particular pursuit, study, science, or art (such as music or painting), especially one who cultivates any study, interest, taste, or attachment without engaging in it professionally.
  2. Someone who is unqualified or insufficiently skillful.

adjective

  1. Non-professional.
More meanings (3)

adjective

  1. Created, done, or populated by amateurs or non-professionals.
  2. Showing a lack of professionalism, experience or talent.

noun

  1. (archaic) A lover of something.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/ˈæməˌtɝ/

Pronunciation used in the listening tip.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Other dictionary pronunciations

/ˈæ.mə.t͡ʃɚ//ˈæ.mə.t͡ʃʊɚ//ˈæ.mə.tɚ/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

Leaning back in the cab, this amateur bloodhound carolled away like a lark while I meditated upon the many-sidedness of the human mind.
Arthur Conan DoyleA Study in ScarletProject Gutenberg ebook #244
“Well, he’s an amateur,” said Felix’s uncle, with folded hands, and with a certain satisfaction in being able to say it.
Henry JamesThe EuropeansProject Gutenberg ebook #179
More book examples (3)
No practical Daguerreotypist, Photographer, or amateur, should be without the means at hand for securing all of the information upon this subject.
S. D. (Samuel Dwight) HumphreyAmerican Hand Book of the DaguerreotypeProject Gutenberg ebook #167
Altogether too few amateur gardeners realize the great importance of procuring early every pound of manures, of any kind, to be had.
F. F. (Frederick Frye) RockwellHome Vegetable Gardening A Complete and Practical Guide to the Planting and Care of All Vegetables, Fruits and Berries Worth Growing for Home UseProject Gutenberg ebook #7123
If the amateur is competent to do this part of the work the entire item of $50 may, of course, be cut out.
William J. (William James) Jackman; Octave Chanute; Thomas Herbert RussellFlying Machines: Construction and Operation A Practical Book Which Shows, in Illustrations, Working Plans and Text, How to Build and Navigate the Modern AirshipProject Gutenberg ebook #907