hobby

¹

[ hob-ee ]

noun

, plural hob·bies.

1. an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation:

   Her hobbies include stamp-collecting and woodcarving.

2. a child's hobbyhorse.
3. Archaic. a small horse.

hobby

²

[ hob-ee ]

noun

, plural hob·bies.

1. a small Old World falcon, Falco subbuteo, formerly flown at such small game as larks.

Hobby

³

[ hob-ee ]

noun

1. Oveta Culp [kuhlp], 1905–1995, U.S. newspaper publisher and government official: first director of Women's Army Corps 1942–45; first Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare 1953–55.

hobby

¹

/ ˈhɒbɪ /

noun

1. an activity pursued in spare time for pleasure or relaxation
2. archaic.
   a small horse or pony
3. short for hobbyhorse
4. an early form of bicycle, without pedals

hobby

²

/ ˈhɒbɪ /

noun

1. any of several small Old World falcons, esp the European Falco subbuteo, formerly used in falconry

Derived Forms

• ˈhobbyist, noun

Other Words From

• hob·by·ist noun
• hob·by·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hobby¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English hoby(n), probably from Robin, or Robert ( hob ² ), used as horse's name, as in dobbin

Origin of hobby²

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English hoby, from Middle French hobé, variant of Middle French, Old French hobel (compare French hobereau ), probably noun derivative of hobeler “to skirmish, harass,” perhaps from Middle Dutch hob(b)elen “to turn, roll”; compare Dutch hobbelen “to rock, jolt” ( hobble )

Word History and Origins

Origin of hobby¹

C14 hobyn, probably variant of proper name Robin; compare dobbin

Origin of hobby²

C15: from Old French hobet, from hobe falcon; probably related to Middle Dutch hobbelen to roll, turn

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. ride a hobby, to concern oneself excessively with a favorite notion or activity. Also ride a hobbyhorse.

Example Sentences

Her next goal is getting up to speed on her daughter’s new hobby: competitive cheerleading.

From Los Angeles Times

But for Tim, there is a serious side to his hobby, even if it could seem… well, less glamorous than others.

From BBC

It’s a business, but, he added, “It’s become something of a hobby for me.”

From Los Angeles Times

The resident said that Rothschild seemed happiest when discussing his automobile hobby: “He was for the most part a pretty lonely older man. The only thing that would excite him was when cars came up.”

From Los Angeles Times

Fergusson has been prospecting as a hobby for about a decade, and finally bought his own claim after searching around for five years.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• amusement
• art
• avocation
• craft
• diversion
• fad
• fun
• obsession
• specialty
• sport