hobby

1 of 2

noun (1)

hob·​by ˈhä-bē How to pronounce hobby (audio)
plural hobbies
: a small Old World falcon (Falco subbuteo) that is dark blue above and white below with dark streaking on the breast

hobby

2 of 2

noun (2)

plural hobbies
: a pursuit outside one's regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation
Writing is just a hobby of his.
Her hobbies include gardening and bird-watching.
hobbyist noun

Examples of hobby in a Sentence

Noun (2) his ranch is just a weekend hobby—he makes his real money as an investment banker
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Just as his dubious surname evokes doubts about his real identity, Joe’s outward-facing persona doesn’t exactly line up with his dangerous hobby. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 June 2025 Set aside time for your hobbies and passions, as Venus enters Cancer on July 30. Liz Simmons, StyleCaster, 24 June 2025 The royal family is known to tap a handful of photographers to capture special occasions like birthdays, though Princess Kate, a hobby photographer, often hops behind the camera! Janine Henni, People.com, 23 June 2025 For Grace Caroline, 29, thrifting has long been an exhilarating hobby, and she's found countless second-hand treasures in the past. Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for hobby

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English hoby, from Anglo-French hobel, hobé

Noun (2)

short for hobbyhorse

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1816, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hobby was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hobby.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hobby. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

hobby

noun
hob·​by
ˈhäb-ē
plural hobbies
: an interest or activity to which a person devotes time for pleasure
hobbyist
-ē-əst
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on hobby

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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