hobby
hobby
Pronunciation
hob-: /hɒb/
/h/: voiceless glottal fricative
/ɒ/: open-mid back rounded vowel
/b/: voiced bilabial stop
-by: /bi/
/b/: voiced bilabial stop
/i/: close front unrounded vowe
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: hobby
Plural Noun: hobbies
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: An activity pursued for pleasure or relaxation during one's leisure time, often with a certain degree of dedication and skill development, and not as one's main occupation.
Synonyms: pastime, leisure pursuit, avocation, recreation, diversion
Antonyms: work, chore, duty, obligation, profession
Definition 2 (Informal): A particular interest or passion that someone is very enthusiastic about, sometimes to the point of obsession.
Synonyms: passion, obsession, fixation, enthusiasm, forte
Antonyms: disinterest, apathy, indifference, dislike, aversion
Examples of Use
Books:
"For some, gardening is merely a chore, but for others, it's a beloved hobby that brings immense joy and a sense of accomplishment." (Example from a hypothetical gardening guide)
"Sherlock Holmes, despite his intense intellectual pursuits, occasionally indulged in the peculiar hobby of bee-keeping." (Implied from the Sherlock Holmes canon, e.g., His Last Bow)
Newspapers:
"Local resident Sarah Chen has turned her hobby of pottery into a thriving small business, selling her unique creations at the weekend market." ( The Daily Chronicle)
"The article explored how the pandemic led many to pick up new hobbies, from baking to learning a new language, as a way to cope with isolation." (The Guardian)
Online Publications:
"Is your hobby making you money? Here are five tips for monetizing your passion without losing the joy." ( Forbes.com)
"Reddit communities dedicated to niche hobbies like mechanical keyboards or fountain pens often see lively discussions and impressive collections." (Wired.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television Series: "In the episode, the main character reveals his surprising hobby of competitive birdwatching." (Dialogue from a fictional sitcom, Parks and Recreation often features characters with unusual hobbies like Leslie Knope's passion for Pawnee history).
Podcasts: "Our guest today, a renowned astrophysicist, shares how his lifelong hobby of stargazing ignited his career path." (Science Friday podcast, specific episode details would vary)
Video Games: Many simulation games, like The Sims, allow players to develop characters with various hobbies such as painting, playing instruments, or programming. (General game mechanic description)
Social Media: "Just finished knitting this cozy scarf! What's everyone's favorite winter hobby?" (@CraftyCreator on Instagram, December 12, 2024)
YouTube: Numerous YouTube channels are dedicated entirely to showcasing or teaching specific hobbies, such as "LockPickingLawyer" (lock picking) or "Adam Savage's Tested" (prop building and making). (Observation of YouTube content)
General Public Discourse:
"My brother's new hobby is collecting vintage vinyl records; he spends all his weekends at flea markets." (Casual conversation between friends)
"Finding a hobby that you genuinely enjoy can be a great way to relieve stress and add more meaning to your life." (Advice given in a self-help seminar)
"During family gatherings, everyone always asks me about my latest hobby because I'm constantly trying new things." (Personal anecdote)
10 Famous Quotes Using Hobby
"A hobby a day keeps the doldrums away." (Unknown)
"What is a hobby? It is the one thing you can do when you are not supposed to be doing anything at all." (Unknown)
"The best way to escape from your problems is to find a hobby that allows you to lose yourself in it." (Unknown)
"A man's hobby is his passport to an enchanted world." (Unknown)
"A hobby is an imaginative diversion, an unbought pleasure." (Agnes Repplier)
"Gardening is a hobby that works on all the senses." (Unknown)
"My hobby is to collect hobbies." (Frank Lloyd Wright)
"Life is short. Do something every day that is your hobby, not your job." (Unknown)
"Don't confuse your career with your life. A career is a hobby that pays." (Proverb)
"A hobby is a non-productive activity where you work to improve your skill at it." (Unknown)
Etymology
The word "hobby" has a fascinating journey through history, starting with a very different meaning than what we use today.
It all began around the 13th century, when "hobby" (or "hobyn" in Middle English) referred to a small, active horse or pony. Think of it as a particular type of horse known for its easy gait, often used for riding or even light work. The word itself might have come from "Hobin" or "Hobby," which were nicknames for Robert or Robin, commonly given to horses, much like "Dobbin" for a farm horse.
Fast forward to the 16th century, and the term "hobby horse" appeared. This wasn't a real horse, but a toy horse – a stick with a horse's head that children would pretend to ride. It also referred to a costume, often a wooden or basketwork frame of a horse, worn by people in traditional dances like the Morris dance. The key idea here was an activity that was playful and didn't necessarily "go anywhere" in a practical sense.
From this "hobby horse" – whether the toy or the dance costume – the word "hobby" gradually took on its modern meaning. By the late 17th century, "hobbyhorse" was being used to describe a favorite pursuit or avocation, something someone was particularly keen on, even to the point of obsession. This transferred sense kept the idea of something you "ride" or "pursue" with enthusiasm.
Finally, by 1816, the word "hobby" was shortened from "hobbyhorse" to refer directly to a leisure activity or pastime that you do for pleasure, outside of your main work. This shift became more prominent in the 18th and 19th centuries, especially with the Industrial Revolution creating more defined work hours and, consequently, more leisure time for people to pursue these enjoyable activities. Initially, some people considered "hobbies" a bit childish, but over time, they gained respectability as a valuable way to spend free time.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Hobby
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "hobby" or closely related concepts:
To ride one's hobby-horse: To talk excessively or tediously about one's favorite subject or pet idea.
Hobby horse: A favorite topic or preoccupation about which one is overly fond of talking.
To make a hobby of something: To engage in an activity regularly and with dedication, usually for pleasure.
A busman's hobby: A hobby that is very similar to one's professional work, implying one is still "working" in their leisure.
Hobby farm: A small farm operated primarily for pleasure rather than commercial purposes.
Hobby room: A dedicated space in a home for pursuing hobbies.
Take up a hobby: To start engaging in a new leisure activity.
Hobby-grade: Referring to products or equipment designed for serious enthusiasts of a particular hobby, often higher quality than basic consumer goods.
Your passion project: (Synonym-based idiom) A personal endeavor that you are deeply enthusiastic about, often pursued outside of work.
A labor of love: (Synonym-based idiom) A task or project undertaken for pleasure, not for payment or reward, much like a cherished hobby.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of hobby from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
