hobby

1 of 2

noun (1)

hob·​by ˈhä-bē How to pronounce hobby (audio)
plural hobbies
Synonyms of hobby
: 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
ˈhä-bē-ist How to pronounce hobby (audio)
noun

Synonyms of hobby

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Noun (2)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
While the hobby is fun and aesthetically pleasing, many of the women are there for a dose of community and friendly competition. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Aug. 2026 Art is an expensive hobby, so shopping secondhand can keep costs down. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 Ask others to join in on the hobbies and activities that make your heart sing. — Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2026 Ginni was the twenty-nine-year-old wife of a local Oldsmobile dealer; Morey, when not engaged with his hobby, ran a profitable family business specializing in heavy equipment for farms and ranches. — Geoffrey O’Brien, The New York Review of Books, 1 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for hobby

See All Rhymes for hobby

Browse Nearby Words

Hobbs
hobby
hobbyhorse
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hobby.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hobby. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of hobby for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hobby

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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