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Dilettante - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A dilettante is someone who dabbles in a subject or activity without serious commitment or deep knowledge, often superficially engaging in arts or fields for amusement rather than expertise.

dilettante

/ˈdɪlɪˌtɑnt/ /ˈdɪlɪˌtænt/

Definition:

A person who cultivates an area of interest superficially or without serious commitment.

Synonyms:

amateur, dabbler, hobbyist

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

expert, professional

Common Collocations:

artistic dilettante, literary dilettante, musical dilettante

Derivatives:

dilettantish, dilettantism

Usage Tips:

Use "dilettante" to describe someone with casual interest rather than deep expertise in a subject.

Common Phrases:

armchair critic, jack of all trades, weekend warrior

Etymology:

From Italian "dilettante," meaning "lover of the arts," derived from "dilettare" (to delight).

Examples:

  • 1. She was a dilettante in painting, trying it occasionally but never mastering it.
  • 2. His knowledge of philosophy was shallow; he was merely a dilettante.
  • 3. The club attracted many dilettantes but few serious scholars.
  • 4. Critics dismissed him as a dilettante with no real commitment to music.

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