# hobby

/ˈhɑbi/ (US) · /hˈɒbi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hobby
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. leisure activity

noun · CEFR A1

an activity that you enjoy doing when you are not working.

For teachers: a regular activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation during one's leisure time.

- My main hobby is gardening, but I also enjoy cooking for my friends.
- While many people view stamp collecting as a solitary hobby, it actually fosters a global community of enthusiasts who trade rare specimens.

### 2. small falcon

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a type of small, fast bird of prey that looks like a hawk.

For teachers: any of several species of small, agile falcons, particularly the Eurasian hobby (Falco subbuteo).

- We saw a hobby diving through the air to catch a large insect.
- The Eurasian hobby is renowned for its aerial agility, often capturing dragonflies and small birds while in full flight.

### 3. favourite topic

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary · British English

a subject that someone loves to talk about or focus on all the time.

For teachers: a favourite subject or obsession that a person frequently returns to in conversation; often used in the phrase 'hobby horse'.

- Don't mention the new tax laws, or he will start on his favourite hobby.
- The professor's latest hobby is the reform of the local curriculum, a topic he introduces into every faculty meeting regardless of the agenda.

## Examples

- My hobby is reading.
- She took up painting as a hobby to relax after work.
- What began as a simple hobby of collecting stamps eventually grew into a serious academic pursuit of philatelic history.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.