amateurish

American  

[am-uh-choor-ish, -chur-, -tyoor-, -tur-] / ˌæm əˈtʃʊər ɪʃ, -ˈtʃɜr-, -ˈtyʊər-, -ˈtɜr- /

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.

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amateurish British  

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

adjective

1. lacking professional skill or expertise

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of amateurish

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

Explanation

Something that's amateurish is done by someone who's not an expert. Your amateurish attempt at baking might result in a lopsided pink cake, for example. If your handmade dress is amateurish, it won't look like you bought it in a department store. When a brand new teacher makes an amateurish try at getting his class's attention, he doesn't exactly sound like an authority figure. At the heart of amateurish is the noun amateur, or "beginner." The oldest meaning of amateur is "lover of something," from the Latin amatorem, "lover," although by the late 1700's it came to mean "dabbler," or not a professional.

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.

From Barron's • Nov. 29, 2025

Weldon, a doctor, issued an amateurish and delightful four-page statement afterward that confirms that doctors still cannot write.

From Slate • Mar. 15, 2025

Roderick Jones representing Comrie admitted the plot had been "highly amateurish in its execution" and he felt "genuine remorse".

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2025

For years, the city has opted for amateurish temporary fixes, using asphalt to fill cracks and crevices the way you might use frosting to mask the collapse of a cake.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 17, 2024

It was the most stupid, the most amateurish mistake he could have made.

From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz

Related Words

• incompetent
• inept