What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dilettante
Example
He was a dilettante in the arts, trying his hand at painting, music, and writing. [dilettante: noun]
Example
She had a dilettante interest in science, reading popular books but lacking formal education in the field. [dilettante: adjective]
amateur
Example
He was an amateur photographer, taking pictures as a hobby rather than as a profession. [amateur: noun]
Example
She had amateur skills in cooking, having learned from family recipes rather than attending culinary school. [amateur: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Amateur is more commonly used than dilettante in everyday language, and it covers a wider range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dilettante and amateur?
Both dilettante and amateur are relatively informal words, but dilettante may be perceived as more pretentious due to its negative connotations.
