How to spell amateur
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
amateur
A-M-A-T-E-U-R
The part to watch: it ends -eur, from French. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Amateur comes from French and ends -eur. The middle vowel is a, though you hardly hear it.
Amateur is one of the words on the Year 5 and 6 list with a spelling from another language. These words came into English from French or Dutch. Their spellings do not follow English sound patterns, so learn them by sight.
Common mistakes with amateur
- Wrong: amatureRight: amateur
- Wrong: amatuerRight: amateur
- Wrong: amateureRight: amateur
A way to remember it
An amateur does it for love, and "ama" comes from the Latin for love. Then add the French -teur.
Amateur in syllables
am · a · teur
Amateur has 3 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
My uncle is an amateur footballer who plays at weekends.
Amateur on the statutory list
Amateur is on the Year 5 and 6 statutory word list in the national curriculum for England. Children are taught these words in Years 5 and 6, when they are 9 to 11.
Test yourself
A short spelling test that starts with amateur, then nine more words from the Year 5 and 6 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words from other languages
Other words on the Year 5 and 6 list that came into English from another language.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell amateurish?
Amateurish is amateur + ish, keeping the French -eur.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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