dilettante

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

noun an amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and who pretends to have knowledge
adjective showing frivolous or superficial interest; amateurish

From Italian dilettante, present participle of dilettare (“to delight”), from Latin dēlectāre (“to delight”).

(See 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919.) (H.) Dilettante. — The best short stories of 1920, and the yearbook of the American short story, Unknown
You will find learned men undoubtedly, professors, reputed philosophers, and illustrious dilettanti. — Complete Short Works of George Meredith, George Meredith
He sometimes held forth upon painting, like a member of the Dilettanti club. — The Adventures of Ferdinand Count Fathom — Complete, T. (Tobias) Smollett

dabbler, sciolist

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