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
Other stress-relievers, such as yoga, breath work, meditation, connecting to hobbies and people that support you and your wellbeing, are essential to living a life with less anxiety, and more positivity. Marnie Goodfriend, Flow Space, 27 Oct. 2025 Gomez and others have sensed the shock of fear in the dance community, which includes not only Latino dancers but people from a range of backgrounds who consider Latin dance more of a lifestyle than a hobby. Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025 When Crawford was around 13 years old, racing became more than just a hobby. Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025 Chefitz was a mountain climber, soccer player, cross-country motorcyclist, flamenco guitarist, writer and poet — to name just some of his hobbies. Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 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 28 Oct. 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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