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
For Lucy, finding the perfect someone is an equation consisting of height, looks, occupation, earnings, hobbies and the like. Scott Phillips, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025 There is something to be said for a stable, borderline boring outcome for the Giants here, however, if Wilson’s only off-field hobby is to get his picture taken at every location in New York City before the ball kicks off in Week 1. Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 11 June 2025 It it, much like hobby horsing itself, one that also feels unexpected, occasionally misunderstood, and deserving of a closer look. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 June 2025 Violent altercations appear to have been something of a hobby for the immensely influential artist, who was born in Milan in 1571 and made his name in Rome. Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 10 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 16 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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