amateur night
Americannoun
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an entertainment featuring amateur performers, often in competition for prizes.
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Informal. an example of or situation marked by flagrant ineptitude.
Critics say it's been amateur night at the embassy since the new ambassador took over.
Etymology
Origin of amateur night
First recorded in 1930–35
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He met Prater at Miami’s King of Hearts nightclub in the early ’60s when Prater performed at an amateur night that Moore was hosting.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 11, 2025
She eventually turned a flirtation with one of her customers, who worked at the Apollo, into a slot for the Ronettes at its legendary amateur night.
From The Guardian ● Dec. 12, 2019
There’s more to stand-up in Harlem than the long-running amateur night at the Apollo Theater, as this celebration aims to demonstrate in the coming week at places such as Under Bar and the Chipped Cup.
From New York Times ● Sep. 19, 2019
His father ran music halls and when he was just 16, Stan managed to persuade the owner of Glasgow's Britannia Panopticon to give him a slot during amateur night.
From BBC ● Jan. 7, 2019
Then as a one-man band he competed with others at a movie house on amateur night.
From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith
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