amateur

amateur; enthusiast

noun adjective ah-mah-TEUR Less Common

Origin: Latin 'amator' (lover of)

Usage Note

Amateur in French retains its original positive sense of someone who loves or is passionate about something — un amateur de jazz (a jazz enthusiast) — unlike in English where it can imply lack of skill. As an adjective it means non-professional. The plural is identical in both genders when used adjectivally. The feminine noun form amatrice is now standard in formal writing.

Examples

"C'est un vrai amateur de cinéma."

Natural Translation

He is a real cinema enthusiast.

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