single word requests - "Dabbler", without the negative connotation


According to dictionary, a dabbler is "an amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and who pretends to have knowledge".


I want a word that means a person genuinely interested in something, wishing to learn more, but currently not having much knowledge about it and not able to make it their primary activity.


I used to use the word "dabbler" for this meaning but I recently discovered it has the above-mentioned negative connotation. What is the word that I should be using instead?




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