Amateur or Amature? Correct Spelling, Meaning, and Common Misspellings

Quick Summary:

The only correct spelling is “amateur.” “Amature” is a frequent misspelling caused by how the word is pronounced. Originating from Latin and French, an amateur is a non-professional or someone who engages in an activity for the love of it rather than money. It functions as both a noun and an adjective.

Introduction: Why Certain English Words Are Hard to Spell

The English language is rich, diverse, and continuously adopting vocabulary from other languages. Because English draws words from Latin, French, Greek, and Germanic origins, spelling in English is not always phonetic. Words are not always written the way they sound!

It is completely normal for English language learners—and even native speakers—to make spelling mistakes as they navigate complex words. While digital tools, dictionaries, and grammar check software can highlight errors, knowing how to spell common terms correctly saves you time and builds your confidence as a writer.

One of the most frequently misspelled words in everyday English is amateur. People often wonder: Is it amature or amateur? Why do so many people write amature when they mean amateur?

This comprehensive guide breaks down the origin of “amateur,” how to use it correctly as a noun and an adjective, and how to avoid other common spelling traps like “Im” vs. “I’m” and “competition.”

Amateur vs. Amature: Which One Is Correct?

According to standard English dictionaries, the correct spelling is amateur.

“Amature” is simply an incorrect spelling. Even though you might see “amature” on social media comments, internet forums, or casual blog posts, it is grammatically wrong and should never be used in professional, academic, or formal writing.

Spelling Verification:

  [ Incorrect ] ---> amature  (Phonetic misspelling)
  [ Correct   ] ---> amateur  (Standard English)

Why Do So Many People Misspell “Amateur”?

People frequently write “amature” because of how the word is pronounced in spoken English. In everyday speech, the final syllable (-teur) is often pronounced like “cher” or “ture” (similar to words like picture, nature, or future). Because minds connect that sound to the -ture ending, writers accidentally type “amature.”

The Historical Origin of “Amateur”

Understanding where a word comes from makes its spelling much easier to remember.

1. Latin Roots: The word began in Latin as amator, which means “a lover.” It was formed by combining the Latin verb amare (“to love”) with the suffix -or.

2. French Evolution: The French language later adopted the Latin word and updated the -or suffix to -teur, spelling it as amateur.

3. English Adoption: When the English language borrowed the word from French in the late 18th century, it kept the exact French spelling: amateur.

Because the English word comes directly from French, preserving the -teur ending is essential for correct spelling!

How to Use “Amateur” Correctly in Sentences

In English grammar, “amateur” is a versatile word because it can function as both a noun and an adjective.

1. “Amateur” as a Noun

When used as a noun, “amateur” has two primary dictionary definitions:

• Definition A (Non-professional practitioner): A person who engages in a study, sport, or activity as a pastime rather than as a profession or for gain.

  • Example: “He is a talented artist, but he remains an amateur who paints only on weekends.”

  • Example: “An amateur writer must learn how copyright and rights reserved work before submitting a manuscript.”

• Definition B (Unskillful person): A person who lacks skill, experience, or proficiency in a specific activity.

  • Example: “It was easy to win the debate because my opponent behaved like an amateur.”

2. “Amateur” as an Adjective

When functioning as an adjective, “amateur” describes a noun. It also carries two distinct meanings:

• Definition A (Non-paid / Hobbyist): Describing an activity or organization done without financial compensation.

  • Example: “The sports federation is working hard to revive amateur wrestling across the country.”

• Definition B (Unskillful or careless): Describing something done in an incompetent or unpolished manner.

  • Example: “The formatting mistakes in that report made it look very amateur.”

(To see more ways adjectives describe nouns in sentences, explore our detailed guide on Adjective Examples).

Bonus Spelling Trap 1: How to Spell “I’m” Correctly

Just like “amature,” typing “Im” without an apostrophe is a very common spelling error.

“I’m” is a contraction—a shortened word created by combining two words (I + am) and removing one or more letters. When you combine I and am in writing, an apostrophe (‘) must replace the missing letter “a.”

Contraction Mechanism:

  [ I ]  +  [ AM ]  --->  Remove "A" & add apostrophe  --->  [ I'm ]

Understanding Contractions

While contractions are rarely used in formal academic papers, they are extremely popular in everyday conversation, email exchanges, and informal blog posts to maintain a friendly, conversational tone.

Writing “Im” without an apostrophe is incorrect. Here are other common contraction spellings that require an apostrophe:

Correct Sentence Examples:

• “I’m reviewing common spelling mistakes to improve my writing.”

• “Shouldn’t you check the document before sending it?”

• “I’ve learned how to spell several tricky words today.”

• “A student can’t master grammar without regular practice.”

Bonus Spelling Trap 2: How to Spell “Competition” Correctly

Unlike “amateur,” it is rare to find people misspelling competition. However, understanding its definition and root word expands your vocabulary.

Competition is a noun derived from the verb compete (which means to strive to gain or win something by establishing superiority over others).

The Three Meanings of “Competition”:

1. The act of competing: Striving to win a prize or status.

   • Example: “The stiff competition between both amateur football teams was obvious.”

2. An event or contest: A organized function or tournament where people test their skills.

   • Example: “She was an amateur until she entered her first national modeling competition.”

3. The opposition: The rivals or opponents you are competing against.

   • Example: “Our business is analyzing what the competition is planning for next season.”

Summary Comparison Table

Practice Exercise: Test Your Knowledge

Select the correct option to complete each sentence:

1. He is an ________ golfer who plays every Saturday morning.

   a) amature

   b) amateur

   c) amatuer

2. Which sentence uses punctuation correctly?

   a) Im going to attend the seminar tomorrow.

   b) I’m going to attend the seminar tomorrow.

   c) Ive going to attend the seminar tomorrow.

3. She won first place in the local writing ________.

   a) competition

   b) competion

   c) compete

(Answers: 1 = b, 2 = b, 3 = a)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is “amature” acceptable in American or British English?

No. “Amature” is not accepted in American English, British English, Canadian English, or Australian English. It is universally classified as a spelling error.

What is the opposite of an amateur?

The direct opposite of an amateur is a professional (a person who engages in an activity as their main paid occupation).

Why do contractions need apostrophes?

In English punctuation, an apostrophe in a contraction signals that one or more letters have been omitted. For example, in “I’m,” the apostrophe takes the place of the letter “a” from “am.”

Master English Vocabulary and Spelling

Overcoming spelling confusion between “amateur vs. amature” is an important milestone in mastering English writing.

To continue polishing your spelling, grammar, and vocabulary, explore our full directory of educational articles on the English Forward Grammar Hub.

Have a question about a tricky word, contraction, or sentence structure? Ask our teacher community on the English Forward Language Community Forum to get direct assistance from native speakers and certified educators!

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