amateurism

American  

[am-uh-choo-riz-uhm, -tyoo-, -chuh-, -tuh-, am-uh-tur-iz-uhm] / ˈæm ə tʃʊˌrɪz əm, -tyʊ-, -tʃə-, -tə-, ˌæm əˈtɜr ɪz əm /

noun

1. the practice, quality, or character of an amateur or amateurish performance.

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Other Word Forms

• pseudoamateurism noun

Etymology

Origin of amateurism

First recorded in 1865–70; amateur + -ism

Example Sentences

Pitino has made a smooth transition to college basketball’s wild new order, in which the pretense of amateurism has been abandoned and the transfer portal reshapes the roster every 12 months.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

The Senate, which generally sneers at the amateurism of House legislation, would have its turn; if the Senate were successful, the two chambers would then have to bridge what could be substantial differences.

From Slate • May 20, 2025

“It’s a result of seven years of amateurism and a spectacular drift in our public finances,” she has said.

From BBC • Dec. 4, 2024

District Judge Clifton Corker in the Eastern District of Tennessee undercuts what has been a fundamental principle of the NCAA’s model of amateurism for decades: Third parties cannot pay recruits to attend a particular school.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 23, 2024

University extension can never pass beyond the stage of amateurism and temporary expedient until, like its English namesake, it has a permanent staff of instructors exclusively devoted to its service.

From The Teacher Essays and Addresses on Education by Palmer, Alice Freeman