amateurish

[am-uh-choor-ish, -chur-, -tyoor-, -tur-]

adjective

1. characteristic of an amateur, especially in having the faults or deficiencies of an amateur; inept.

   Though an enthusiastic violinist, he gave an amateurish performance.

amateurish

/ ˈæmətərɪʃ, -ˌtʃʊər-, -tʃər-, ˌæməˈtɜːrɪʃ /

adjective

1. lacking professional skill or expertise

Other Word Forms

• amateurishly adverb
• amateurishness noun
• pseudoamateurish adjective
• pseudoamateurishly adverb
• quasi-amateurish adjective
• quasi-amateurishly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of amateurish¹

First recorded in 1860–65; amateur + -ish ¹

Example Sentences

The decision was slammed as "amateurish" by former Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan, who added that he was "staggered" that they would turn down the opportunity.

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Speaking on Saturday, former captain Michael Vaughan said it would be "amateurish" to pass up the opportunity to play in Canberra.

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It would be "amateurish" if England continue with their plan not to play in a pink-ball warm-up match before the second Ashes Test, says former captain Michael Vaughan.

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While some scholars have called the White House social media style “amateurish,” that hasn’t resulted in change.

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People who understand the process of diplomacy think that this is very amateurish and is unlikely to yield real results that are enforceable.

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Related Words

• incompetent 
• inept