amateurly

Amateurly is an adverb in English meaning “in an amateur manner” or “by amateurs.” It describes actions performed without professional skill, formal training, or status. The term can be neutral, simply indicating a non-professional approach, or it can carry a mild evaluative edge depending on the context. In more formal writing, alternatives such as “amateurishly” or paraphrases like “by non-professionals” are sometimes preferred.

Etymology: The word is formed from the noun amateur, which in English comes from the French amateur and ultimately from Late Latin amator, meaning “lover” (from amare, “to love”). The suffix -ly converts the noun into an adverb.

Usage: Amatuerly is commonly found in casual prose, journalism, and commentary about hobbies, sports, arts, or science where participants are not professionals. It emphasizes the manner in which something is done rather than the outcome. Depending on context, it may be perceived as merely factual or as quietly critical. Some style guides reserve stronger terms such as “amateurishly” or “amateurish” to express negative judgments about skill or quality, while “amateurly” focuses on approach.

Related terms: amateur, amateurish, amateurism. See also discussions of professional versus non-professional work, the culture of amateurism in various fields, and the balance between enthusiasm and expertise in non-professional contexts.