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

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

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

From BBC

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.

From BBC

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

From Salon

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

From Salon

Related Words

• incompetent
• inept