dilettante
/dɪləˈtɒnti/
Group 32Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (noun)
- A person who cultivates an area of interest without real commitment or knowledge GRE
Example in Context
The board dismissed him as a dilettante whose interest in the organization was superficial and whose involvement created more problems than it solved.
Synonyms
amateurdabblerhobbyist
Etymology
From Italian 'dilettante', meaning one who delights in art without serious commitment.
- dilettare (Italian) — to delight
Memory Aid
🐢Sounds like “dilly-dally”
Imagine a TURTLE DILLY-DALLYING at an art exhibit, too lazy to learn anything — a true DILETTANTE!
Visual Association
🎨A laid-back turtle lounging in front of a painting, sipping a drink while ignoring the art.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “dilettante” mean on the GRE?
dilettante (noun) means “A person who cultivates an area of interest without real commitment or knowledge”. The board dismissed him as a dilettante whose interest in the organization was superficial and whose involvement created more problems than it solved.
How to remember “dilettante” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “dilettante” sounds like “dilly-dally”. Imagine a TURTLE DILLY-DALLYING at an art exhibit, too lazy to learn anything — a true DILETTANTE!
What are synonyms for “dilettante”?
Common synonyms: amateur, dabbler, hobbyist.