hobby
14 synonyms and 1 antonym for hobby, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An activity someone does regularly for pleasure in their free time, not for work.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use hobby
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
take up a hobby
hobby of choice
pursue a hobby
Etymology
Shortened from "hobby-horse", originally meaning a small pony, which came to mean a toy riding-horse, and eventually a favorite pastime — the link being an activity that, like a toy horse, "goes nowhere".
Full origin of hobby →Frequently asked questions
What does “hobby” mean?
The word “hobby” means an activity someone does regularly for pleasure in their free time, not for work. In plain terms, something you enjoy doing in your spare time, purely for fun.
How do you pronounce “hobby”?
“Hobby” is pronounced HO-bee (/ˈhɑ.bi/ in IPA).
How do you use “hobby” in a sentence?
Here is “hobby” used in a sentence: “Gardening has been her favorite hobby for years.”
What is another word for “hobby”?
Words with a similar meaning to “hobby” include pastime, amusement, diversion, divertisement, fancy and kill-time.
What is the opposite of “hobby”?
The opposite of “hobby” — its antonyms — is work.
What part of speech is “hobby”?
“Hobby” is a noun.
Is “hobby” a common word?
“Hobby” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “hobby” have?
“Hobby” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an activity someone does regularly for pleasure in their free time, not for work.
What is the difference between a hobby and a pastime?
A hobby is usually an active pursuit you develop skill in and return to regularly, such as painting or model-building. A pastime is any activity that fills spare time pleasantly and can be more casual or passive, such as watching television.
What is the difference between a hobby and a profession?
A hobby is done for pleasure in your free time and not for money, while a profession is paid work you do as a career. An activity can shift from a hobby to a profession once you begin earning a living from it.
When is 'hobby' used to mean a bird rather than an activity?
In birdwatching and nature writing, 'hobby' names any of several small, fast falcons, especially Falco subbuteo. This meaning is unrelated to the everyday sense of a leisure activity and is rarely met outside ornithological contexts.
