# pet project

CEFR B2 · Compound

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pet-project
Updated: 2026-08-05

## Definition

a plan or activity that you care about very much and work on because you personally enjoy it.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- 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.

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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.