Dilettantish — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˈdi-lə-ˌtänt/ dil·et·tante

Meaning & Definition of Dilettantish

Dilettantish (noun)

  1. a person having a superficial interest in an art or a branch of knowledge, dabbler
  2. an admirer or lover of the arts

Dilettantish (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. lacking or showing a lack of expert skill

    "independently wealthy, he can afford to pursue a dilettantish interest in sculpture"

    similar: amateur, amateurish, dilettante, inexperienced, inexpert, jackleg, nonprofessional, unprofessional, unskilled, unskillful
    related: curbstone, self-taught, uninitiated, unprepared, unqualified, unschooled, untaught, untrained, untutored, awkward, clumsy, ham-fisted, ham-handed, heavy-handed, crude, defective, faulty, flawed, primitive, unfinished, unpolished, beginning, entry-level, fresh, green, new, raw, unseasoned, untested, untried, would-be, incapable, incompetent, talentless, unable, unfit, ungifted, untalented
    opposite: ace, adept, consummate, crackerjack, expert, master, masterful, masterly, professional, virtuosic, virtuoso
    near: able, accomplished, capable, competent, dexterous, gifted, habile, handsome, proficient, skilled, skillful, talented, experienced, practiced, seasoned, veteran, educated, fitted, initiated, knowledgeable, prepared, qualified, schooled, taught, trained, tutored, versed, all-around, ambidextrous, versatile, well-rounded, finished, polished, slick

Related Entry: Dilettante (noun)

Dilettante is a different word from Dilettantish. The synonyms below are for dilettante, not for dilettantish.

  1. a person who regularly or occasionally engages in an activity as a pastime rather than as a profession

    "a dilettante at heart, she was never willing to commit the time and effort that ballet demands"

    similar: amateur, dabbler, hobbyist, layman, nonexpert, nonprofessional, potterer, putterer, tinkerer
    related: all-rounder (British), generalist, general practitioner, jack-of-all-trades, aficionado, buff, devotee, enthusiast, fan
    opposite: authority, expert, pro, professional, specialist

  2. a person having a knowledgeable and fine appreciation of the arts

    "she writes about art not from the point of view of an artist but from that of a committed dilettante"

    similar: cognoscente, connoisseur
    related: adept, authority, expert, maestro, master, past master, scholar, virtuoso, critic, reviewer, amateur, dabbler, collector, specialist, aficionado, buff, devotee, enthusiast, fan
    near: groundling, lowbrow, materialist, philistine

Related Entry: Dilettantes (noun)

Dilettantes is a different word from Dilettantish. The synonyms below are for dilettantes, not for dilettantish.

  1. a person who regularly or occasionally engages in an activity as a pastime rather than as a profession

    "a dilettante at heart, she was never willing to commit the time and effort that ballet demands"

    similar: amateurs, dabblers, hobbyists, laymen, nonexperts, nonprofessionals, potterers, putterers, tinkerers
    related: all-rounders (British), generalists, general practitioners, jacks-of-all-trades, aficionados, buffs, devotees, enthusiasts, fans
    opposite: authorities, experts, professionals, pros, specialists

  2. a person having a knowledgeable and fine appreciation of the arts

    "she writes about art not from the point of view of an artist but from that of a committed dilettante"

    similar: cognoscenti, connoisseurs
    related: adepts, authorities, experts, maestros, masters, past masters, scholars, virtuosos, critics, reviewers, amateurs, dabblers, collectors, specialists, aficionados, buffs, devotees, enthusiasts, fans
    near: groundlings, lowbrows, materialists, philistines

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Dilettantish

The most common words with a similar meaning to Dilettantish:

amateur, amateurish, dilettante, inexperienced, inexpert, jackleg, nonprofessional, unprofessional, unskilled, unskillful

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Dilettantish

Words with the opposite meaning of Dilettantish:

ace, adept, consummate, crackerjack, expert, master, masterful, masterly, professional, virtuosic, virtuoso

Related Words for Dilettantish

curbstone, self-taught, uninitiated, unprepared, unqualified, unschooled, untaught, untrained, untutored, awkward, clumsy, ham-fisted, ham-handed, heavy-handed, crude, defective, faulty, flawed, primitive, unfinished, unpolished, beginning, entry-level, fresh, green, new, raw, unseasoned, untested, untried

Near Antonyms of Dilettantish

able, accomplished, capable, competent, dexterous, gifted, habile, handsome, proficient, skilled, skillful, talented, experienced, practiced, seasoned, veteran, educated, fitted, initiated, knowledgeable, prepared, qualified, schooled, taught, trained, tutored, versed, all-around, ambidextrous, versatile

Word Forms of Dilettantish

Inflections: dilettantes, dilettanti

Derived words: dilettante (adjective), dilettantish (adjective), dilettantism (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Dilettantish

borrowed from Italian, agentive derivative of dilettare "to please, delight," borrowed from Latin dēlectāre delight:2

First known use: 1748

Frequently Asked Questions about Dilettantish

What does "Dilettantish" mean?

"Dilettantish" means a person having a superficial interest in an art or a branch of knowledge, dabbler. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: a person having a superficial interest in an art or a branch of knowledge, dabbler.

What is another word for "Dilettantish"?

Other words for "Dilettantish" include amateur, amateurish, dilettante, inexperienced, inexpert, jackleg, nonprofessional and unprofessional. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Dilettantish" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Dilettantish"?

There are 48 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Dilettantish". Common alternatives include amateur, amateurish, dilettante, inexperienced, inexpert, jackleg, nonprofessional, unprofessional, unskilled and unskillful.

What is the opposite of "Dilettantish"?

Antonyms of "Dilettantish" include ace, adept, consummate, crackerjack, expert, master, masterful and masterly. Near antonyms include able, accomplished, capable and competent.

How do you use "Dilettantish" in a sentence?

Examples of "Dilettantish" in a sentence: "independently wealthy, he can afford to pursue a dilettantish interest in sculpture".

Is "Dilettantish" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Dilettantish" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Dilettantish"?

"Dilettantish" is pronounced /ˈdi-lə-ˌtänt/ and divided into syllables as dil·et·tante.

What is the origin of the word "Dilettantish"?

"Dilettantish" comes from borrowed from Italian, agentive derivative of dilettare "to please, delight," borrowed from Latin dēlectāre delight:2. First known use: 1748.