hobby

¹ American  

[hob-ee] / ˈhɒb i /

noun

PLURAL

hobbies

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.

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idioms

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

hobby ² American  

[hob-ee] / ˈhɒb i /

noun

PLURAL

hobbies

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

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Hobby ³ American  

[hob-ee] / ˈhɒb i /

noun

1. Oveta Culp 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.

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hobby ¹ British  

/ 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

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hobby ² British  

/ ˈhɒbɪ /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• hobbyist noun
• hobbyless adjective

Etymology

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 )

Example Sentences

Do you have any hobbies you think would surprise people?

From The Wall Street Journal

While questioning the correct pronunciation of “niche,” Gaffigan noted that his other hobby, gardening, isn’t funny enough to support a special, and that his spirits-centric jokes weren’t for mass consumption.

From The Wall Street Journal

Jen Galvagna, head of trust, estates and tax at Bank of America, worked with a trust that specifically funded a child’s equestrian hobby.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s a hobby he said he never would have picked up if not for how easy it is on Robinhood.

From The Wall Street Journal

The prince has seemingly had a change of heart in relation to the hobby, which Catherine, Princess of Wales, has previously spoken about enjoying herself.

From BBC

Related Words

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