What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dilettanti
Example
He was a dilettante in art, enjoying visiting galleries and museums but not pursuing formal training. [dilettante: noun]
Example
She had a dilettante interest in music, playing the piano occasionally but not taking lessons. [dilettante: adjective]
hobbyist
Example
He was a photography hobbyist, spending weekends taking pictures and developing them in his home darkroom. [hobbyist: noun]
Example
She had a hobbyist interest in gardening, growing vegetables and flowers in her backyard for fun. [hobbyist: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hobbyist is more commonly used than dilettanti in everyday language. Hobbyist is a versatile term that covers a wide range of interests and activities, while dilettanti is less common and can have a negative connotation of being amateurish or superficial.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dilettanti and hobbyist?
Both dilettanti and hobbyist are relatively informal terms, although dilettanti may be viewed as more pretentious or highbrow due to its association with the arts and culture.
