Dilettante

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /dɪləˈtÉ’nt/
• US IPA: /ˈdɪlÉ™tÉ™nt/

Origin

From Italian dilettante, prop. present participle of dilettare ("to delight"), from Latin delectare ("to delight").

Full definition of dilettante

Noun

1. An amateur, someone who dabbles in a field out of casual interest rather than as a profession or serious interest.
2. (sometimes offensive) A person with a general but superficial interest in any art or a branch of knowledge.

Derived terms

• dilettantish, dilettanteish
• dilettantism, dilettanteism

Related terms

• delectable
• delight

Adjective

1. Pertaining to or like a dilettante.