Basic Details
Word: Amateur
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A person who does something for pleasure and not as a professional; someone who is not very skilled at a particular activity.
Synonyms: Novice, beginner, dilettante
Antonyms: Professional, expert
Idioms and Phrases
- Amateur hour: A time when something is done poorly due to inexperience. Example: "The play was a bit of amateur hour, but we all had fun watching it."
- Amateur's luck: Good fortune that someone inexperienced might encounter unexpectedly. Example: "He won the tournament on amateur's luck, despite it being his first time."
Usage Examples
Example 1: Even though she was an amateur photographer, her photos turned out beautifully.
Example 2: The amateur actors rehearsed tirelessly for their community theatre production.
Example 3: He attended the workshop to learn more about painting as an amateur artist.
Fun Fact
The word "amateur" comes from the Latin word "amator," which means "lover." It originally referred to someone who loves what they do rather than focusing on making a living from it.
Famous Quote
"Amateurs practice until they get it right; professionals practice until they can't get it wrong." - Unknown
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "amateur" mean?
a) A professional worker
b) A person who does something for pleasure and is not very skilled
c) Someone who is always busy
d) A type of professional equipment
Answer: b) A person who does something for pleasure and is not very skilled
2. Which of these is a synonym of "amateur"?
a) Expert
b) Novice
c) Specialist
d) Master
Answer: b) Novice
3. Which sentence uses "amateur" correctly?
a) The amateur chef won a cooking competition.
b) The amateur musician performed like a rock star.
c) The amateur artist was featured in a prestigious gallery.
d) All the statements are correct.
Answer: d) All the statements are correct.
4. Which idiom refers to unprofessional behaviour?
a) Amateur hour
b) Professional standard
c) Lucky break
d) Open secret
Answer: a) Amateur hour
5. What is the opposite of "amateur"?
a) Learner
b) Professional
c) Newbie
d) Hobbyist
Answer: b) Professional
