dil·et·tante / ˌdiliˈtänt/ • n. (pl. -tan·ti / -ˈtäntē/ or -tantes) a person who cultivates an area of interest, such as the arts, without real commitment or knowledge: [as adj.] a dilettante approach to science. ∎ archaic a person with an amateur interest in the arts.DERIVATIVES: dil·et·tan·tish adj.dil·et·tant·ism / -ˌtizəm/ n.

dilettante amateur of the fine arts; (later) mere amateur. XVIII. — It. ‘lover (of music or painting)’, sb. use of prp. of dilettare :- L. dēlectāre DELIGHT.