From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishhobbyhob‧by /ˈhɒbi $ ˈhɑː-/ ●●● noun (plural hobbies) [countable] DOINTERESTEDan activity that you enjoy doing in your free time → interest, pastime What are your hobbies? Susan’s hobbies include reading, cooking, and drama. Retirement gave him the time to pursue his hobbies. —hobbyist noun [countable] a magazine for aircraft modelling hobbyistsRegisterIn everyday English, people often talk about what they do in their free time rather than use the word hobbies:What do you do in your free time?In my free time, I like reading and cooking.THESAURUShobby an activity that you enjoy, and that you like to spend time doing when you are not workingStamp collecting has been a hobby of mine since I was a child.We had to write an essay about our hobbies.interest something that you are interested in and like doing or talking aboutHer interests were the same as most young girls – pop music, boys and clothes.pastime especially written something that you do because it is enjoyable or interestingGardening was her mother's favourite pastime.In England talking about the weather is a national pastime (=something that a lot of people in a country do).passion something that you feel extremely interested in and care a lot aboutFootball was his passion.For the French, food is a passion.pursuit formal an activity that you spend time doing – used especially in the following phrasesThe hills and lakes are used for a variety of outdoor pursuits.Her son wasn't really interested in academic pursuits.Mountaineering, golfing, and fishing were among his leisure pursuits
Examples from the Corpus
hobby• Stamp collecting has been a hobby of mine ever since I was a child.• If you have any non-work experience that is relevant, a hobby perhaps, mention this.• I never saw my song-writing as anything more than a hobby until recently.• Soon friends were offering to buy Amanda's work, and she decided to turn her hobby into a business.• So this was not the equivalent of a father wanting to pass on the passionate love of his hobby to his children.• My hobbies are wind-surfing and playing the guitar.• My hobby is repairing antiques.• When people retire, they often take up new hobbies and start to make new friends.• And a passion for two-wheels helps with her other hobby.• They tend to advertise in the appropriate specialist hobbies press and through the medium of direct mail.• It grows well under water and could be a valuable contribution to the hobby.• The father of two had taken up the hobby 18 months ago and was a member of the Ince Blundell flying club.• Q: What hobbies do you have?Origin hobby (1800-1900) hobbyhorse 