Amateur

An amateur is a player who takes part in sport primarily for enjoyment, development or competition rather than as paid employment. The term also describes whole tiers of competition — amateur leagues, amateur championships and open events — where eligibility depends on a competitor not earning income from the sport. The boundary has shifted over time; for much of the 20th century the Olympic Games and many national governing bodies enforced strict amateur rules, several of which have since been relaxed or abolished.

Amateur status still matters in specific settings, such as college athletics in the United States and some individual sports where prize money or sponsorship can affect eligibility for certain events. In everyday use, 'amateur' simply signals the recreational or unpaid end of the participation spectrum, sitting below semi-professional and professional levels. It describes status and pathway, not skill — many amateur athletes compete to a very high standard.