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Synonyms

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.

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.

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.

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
hobby 2 British  
/ ˈhɒbɪ /

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Part of me wants to lie, tell Denny I’m great and falling on the floor is one of hobbies.

From Literature

"At the individual level, social engagement is crucial. Finding community -- through work, hobbies, or caregiving networks -- can buffer stress and improve well-being," Infurna said.

From Science Daily

Another hobby is chess, which he has said helps him in his day job.

From Barron's

“More of an electrician. It was a hobby that became a vocation once I turned fifteen and the war began.”

From Literature

“Maybe I could write a novel, sell it, then write another, and maybe it would be a nice little hobby.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.