passion project

American  

[pash-uhn proj-ekt] / ˈpæʃ ən ˌprɒdʒ ɛkt /

noun

1. a personally fulfilling activity or undertaking pursued in one’s leisure time for pleasure, personal growth, emotional satisfaction, creative expression, etc.

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Etymology

Origin of passion project

First recorded in 2005–10

Example Sentences

The ballroom has become a passion project for Trump during his second term: the president often discusses the plan in public appearances, press conferences and meetings.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

Having already published a memoir, she is now pursuing a "passion project" - writing a political thriller.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

Mark Joseph Stern: It is weird, but it’s not surprising, because this has been something of a passion project for Kavanaugh since well before he joined the Supreme Court.

From Slate • Jan. 21, 2026

They were joined by Guillermo del Toro’s long-gestating gothic passion project “Frankenstein,” Chloé Zhao’s literary adaptation “Hamnet” and Ryan Coogler’s muscular, genre-bending period film “Sinners.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 8, 2025

This was truly a passion project for me.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad