What does hobby mean?
A hobby is an activity that someone pursues regularly because they enjoy it, find it interesting, or use it as a form of relaxation. The word commonly refers to activities outside work, such as gardening, painting, birdwatching, playing a musical instrument, or collecting objects. Unlike a profession or job, a hobby does not need to provide income, although it can become demanding, competitive, or commercially productive. A hobby may also develop into a vocation or business, and people are sometimes called hobbyists when they devote substantial time to pursuing it. In its rarer specialist sense, a hobby is a small falcon known for its swift flight and elegant appearance. The word is familiar in British and American English, with no major regional difference in its ordinary meaning. Its usefulness lies in distinguishing recreation undertaken for personal satisfaction from work undertaken for financial or practical reasons.
nounAn activity that one does regularly for pleasure, interest, or relaxation, rather than mainly for work or financial gain.
- An activity pursued regularly for enjoyment, interest, or relaxation.
- A small falcon of Europe, Asia, and Africa, also called a hobby falcon.
"She took up pottery as a hobby during the winter."
"Gardening is more than a hobby for him; it is his favorite way to unwind."
"The hobby falcon is a swift, elegant bird of prey."
The usual plural is hobbies, with the second syllable pronounced /biz/.
"Her hobbies include photography, cooking, and long-distance walking."
A hobby can shape a life—and, less expectedly, the word also names a small falcon.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hobby come from?
The precise medieval origin of the word is uncertain, but it was associated with a hobby horse, a stick or toy horse used for recreation. By the later Middle English period, hobby had developed the broader sense of an activity or pursuit undertaken for pleasure. Its modern derivatives include hobbyist and hobby horse, which continue the word's associations with recreation.
Related word forms
How hobby is actually used
In ordinary modern usage, a hobby is normally unpaid or primarily recreational, although some people use the word loosely for any sustained personal interest. The falcon sense is specialist and much less common.