{"id":1848,"date":"2020-11-11T10:00:33","date_gmt":"2020-11-11T09:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.englishforums.com\/blog\/?p=1848"},"modified":"2026-08-08T10:46:45","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T10:46:45","slug":"amature-vs-amateur-which-is-correctly-spelled","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.englishforward.com\/blog\/amature-vs-amateur-which-is-correctly-spelled\/","title":{"rendered":"Amature vs Amateur: Which is correctly spelled?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Amateur or Amature? Correct Spelling, Meaning, and Common Misspellings<\/h1>\n
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Quick Summary:<\/b><\/p>\n

The only correct spelling is “amateur.”<\/b> “Amature”<\/b> is a frequent misspelling caused by how the word is pronounced. Originating from Latin and French, an amateur<\/i> 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.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Introduction: Why Certain English Words Are Hard to Spell<\/h2>\n

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!<\/p>\n

It is completely normal for English language learners\u2014and even native speakers\u2014to 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.<\/p>\n

One of the most frequently misspelled words in everyday English is amateur<\/b>. People often wonder: Is it amature or amateur? Why do so many people write amature when they mean amateur?<\/i><\/p>\n

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”<\/b> and “competition.”<\/b><\/p>\n

Amateur vs. Amature: Which One Is Correct?<\/h2>\n

According to standard English dictionaries, the correct spelling is amateur<\/b>.<\/p>\n

“Amature” is simply an incorrect spelling.<\/b> 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.<\/p>\n

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Spelling Verification:\r\n\r\n  [ Incorrect ] ---> amature  (Phonetic misspelling)\r\n  [ Correct   ] ---> amateur  (Standard English)\r\n<\/code><\/pre>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Why Do So Many People Misspell “Amateur”?<\/h3>\n
People frequently write “amature” because of how the word is pronounced in spoken English. In everyday speech, the final syllable (-teur<\/i>) is often pronounced like “cher”<\/i> or “ture”<\/i> (similar to words like picture<\/i>, nature<\/i>, or future<\/i>). Because minds connect that sound to the -ture<\/i> ending, writers accidentally type “amature.”<\/p>\n
The Historical Origin of “Amateur”<\/h3>\n
Understanding where a word comes from makes its spelling much easier to remember.<\/p>\n
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  1. \n
    Latin Roots:<\/b> The word began in Latin as amator<\/i>, which means “a lover.” It was formed by combining the Latin verb amare<\/i> (“to love”) with the suffix -or<\/i>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
  2. \n
    French Evolution:<\/b> The French language later adopted the Latin word and updated the -or<\/i> suffix to -teur<\/i>, spelling it as amateur<\/b>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
  3. \n
    English Adoption:<\/b> When the English language borrowed the word from French in the late 18th century, it kept the exact French spelling: amateur<\/b>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    Because the English word comes directly from French, preserving the -teur<\/b> ending is essential for correct spelling!<\/p>\n
    How to Use “Amateur” Correctly in Sentences<\/h2>\n
    In English grammar, “amateur” is a versatile word because it can function as both a noun<\/b> and an adjective<\/b>.<\/p>\n
    1. “Amateur” as a Noun<\/h3>\n
    When used as a noun, “amateur” has two primary dictionary definitions:<\/p>\n