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 painter, dabbling in watercolors and oils without any formal training. [dilettante: noun]
Example
She had a dilettante interest in astronomy, reading popular science books but not pursuing it seriously. [dilettante: adjective]
hobbyist
Example
He was a photography hobbyist, spending weekends taking pictures and experimenting with different techniques. [hobbyist: noun]
Example
She had a hobbyist approach to cooking, trying out new recipes and techniques for fun. [hobbyist: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hobbyist is more commonly used than dilettante in everyday language. Hobbyist is a positive term that suggests a genuine interest and enjoyment in the activity, while dilettante can have a negative connotation of being superficial or insincere.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dilettante and hobbyist?
Dilettante is a more formal word than hobbyist, and is often used in academic or intellectual contexts to describe someone who has a shallow or superficial knowledge of a subject. Hobbyist is a more casual and informal term that can be used in a variety of contexts.
