Dilettante
/ˌdɪlɪˈtænti/
nounC2
Definition
A dilettante is someone who likes a particular field, like art, music, or science, but only learns or does it a little bit, without deep understanding or real skill. They are often seen as hobbyists or amateurs who do not take the subject seriously or professionally.
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See It in Action
A person who takes up an art or activity without serious study or commitment
- •She is a dilettante in photography, taking pictures only on holidays.
- •Many dilettantes try painting but never become professional artists.
- •The club welcomed dilettantes who wanted to enjoy music without pressure.
Someone who enjoys and talks about a subject but lacks deep knowledge
- •He was called a dilettante because he knew a little about many subjects but was not an expert.
- •Critics sometimes use "dilettante" to describe writers who do not research carefully.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "dilettante" like "beginner," but with a meaning that the person does not want to become an expert—just enjoys a little bit
- ✓Picture a person who paints a few pictures for fun but does not study painting carefully or try to improve much
- ✓It's the feeling when you try a new hobby just for fun, without planning to be very good at it
- ✓Sounds like "dill-a-TAN-tee" → imagine someone lightly tasting dill (a herb) but not cooking a full meal, just sampling a little
- ✓Think of a tourist who visits many museums but does not learn much about the art—they like it but only on the surface
- ✓NOT like "expert" (deep knowledge and skill), a dilettante only knows a little and does not go deep
- ✓NOT like "student" (someone who studies seriously), a dilettante studies or practices casually or for fun
- ✓NOT like "professional" (someone who works in the field), a dilettante is an amateur or hobbyist
Try Other Words
- •Amateur: a person who does something for pleasure, not professionally (Use when focusing on lack of professional status)
- •Dabbler: someone who tries different activities without serious interest (Use when emphasizing casual or brief involvement)
- •Enthusiast: a person very interested in a subject (Use when the interest is strong and positive, unlike dilettante)
- •Novice: a beginner (Use when emphasizing lack of experience rather than shallow interest)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (none clearly separable; the word is borrowed whole)
- •Etymology: from Italian "dilettante," meaning "amateur, lover of the arts," from Latin "dilettare" meaning "to delight, please"
- •Historical development: originally positive, meaning someone who delights in the arts; over time, it gained a negative sense of shallow or superficial interest
- •Modern usage: often used to describe people who have only a small or casual knowledge of a subject, sometimes with a slightly negative or mocking tone
Reflect & Connect
•Can being a dilettante ever be positive, or is it always negative? When might casual interest be good?
•How do you decide if your own interest in something is serious or just dilettante?
Fill in the blanks
1.A dilettante usually practices a hobby ___ with deep study or training.
2.Unlike a professional, a dilettante often lacks ___ knowledge or skill.
3.Someone called a dilettante might enjoy many subjects but not ___ in any of them.
4.When a person only tries an activity for fun, we can say they ___ as a dilettante.
5.The word dilettante is often used ___ to describe shallow or casual interest.
6.A dilettante’s work is usually not as ___ or detailed as that of an expert.
7.Unlike an enthusiast, a dilettante’s interest may ___ quickly or change often.