amateur vs professional

Definitions

adjective

1. engaged in as a pastime
2. lacking professional skill or expertise

noun

1. an athlete who does not play for pay
2. someone who pursues a study or sport as a pastime

Examples

There's a big difference between an amateur video and a slick Hollywood production.

She gets signed up for Amateur Night as a sentimental soprano soloist, is propelled on stage, moves her lips as the crowd makes noise, sways her body as if actually singing, then exits.

Then the pleasant little surprises of all kinds that we imagined; and the pleasant looks that greet us when we condescend to accept them; the patience that can translate our most unwarrantable "crossness", because there has been some trifling difficulty in obtaining the half of a star or the corner of a moon which it had pleased us to require, into "such a good sign of being really better"; and then our appetite (which the gods know is at that season singularly keen), how is it not tempted with unutterable dainties and friande morsels, all sorts of amateur cookery in our behalf, where Love himself has not disdained to turn the spit, and look into the stewpan! and all served up so gracefully on the small tray, covered with its delicate white damask cloth, arraying with more than mortal charms the moulds of crystal jelly and pure-looking blanc mange!

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Definitions

noun

1. a person engaged in one of the learned professions
2. an authority qualified to teach apprentices
3. an athlete who plays for pay

adjective

1. characteristic of or befitting a profession or one engaged in a profession
2. of or relating to or suitable as a profession
3. of or relating to a profession
4. engaged in by members of a profession
5. engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood

Examples

Katherine spoke softly, sometimes hesitantly and sometimes in a rush, with a great deal more emotional inflection than the voice she uses when acting the cool professional.

But Ms. Economy pointed to the elaborateness of concept and coordination of details — "the flowers are matching," she observed — leading her to suspect they may have had professional help bringing the Halloween spirit alive.

Liz smiles professionally and holds Larry, who wheezes and splutters, enduring his hardship with a stoicism that looks exhausting.

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