Word
pet project
Definition
compound. a plan or activity that you care about very much and work on because you personally enjoy it.
compound. a project, activity, or goal that is pursued as a personal favourite rather than out of necessity or professional obligation. It often implies the individual has a particular emotional investment in its success.
Examples
“The community garden is the mayor's pet project.”
“While the company focuses on software, the CEO spends his weekends on a pet project involving vintage car restoration.”
“The senator's pet project, a niche environmental bill, faced significant opposition from colleagues who viewed it as a personal indulgence.”
Examples
simple
“The community garden is the mayor's pet project.”
contextual
“While the company focuses on software, the CEO spends his weekends on a pet project involving vintage car restoration.”
complex
“The senator's pet project, a niche environmental bill, faced significant opposition from colleagues who viewed it as a personal indulgence.”
Usage
usually used with a possessive (my, his, the director's) to show who is personally invested in the work.
Teaching tip
explain that 'pet' here acts as an adjective meaning 'favourite' or 'special', similar to how a 'pet peeve' is a specific personal dislike.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/pet-project