hobby 🔊
Meaning of hobby
A regular activity done for enjoyment during leisure time.
Key Difference
A hobby is typically a personal interest pursued for pleasure, not professionally.
Example of hobby
- Gardening is her favorite hobby; she spends weekends tending to her roses.
- He took up painting as a hobby to relax after work.
Synonyms
pastime 🔊
Meaning of pastime
An activity done for enjoyment in free time.
Key Difference
Pastime is a broader term, while a hobby often involves skill development.
Example of pastime
- Reading mystery novels is her preferred pastime during long flights.
- Fishing is a popular pastime in coastal towns.
avocation 🔊
Meaning of avocation
A secondary occupation or hobby.
Key Difference
Avocation implies a serious pursuit, often alongside a profession.
Example of avocation
- Though a doctor by profession, photography is his avocation.
- Her avocation in pottery led to a small side business.
recreation 🔊
Meaning of recreation
Activities done for relaxation and enjoyment.
Key Difference
Recreation is more about leisure, while a hobby can be a dedicated interest.
Example of recreation
- Hiking and camping are his favorite forms of recreation.
- The park offers various recreational activities for families.
pursuit 🔊
Meaning of pursuit
An activity one engages in seriously.
Key Difference
Pursuit can be professional or personal, whereas a hobby is purely for pleasure.
Example of pursuit
- His pursuit of vintage car restoration is both costly and rewarding.
- Chess is more than a game for her; it’s a lifelong pursuit.
interest 🔊
Meaning of interest
Something one enjoys learning about or doing.
Key Difference
An interest is broader and may not involve active participation like a hobby.
Example of interest
- Ancient history is a deep interest of his, though he doesn’t study it formally.
- Her interest in astronomy led her to buy a telescope.
divertissement 🔊
Meaning of divertissement
A short entertainment or pastime.
Key Difference
Divertissement is often temporary, while a hobby is sustained.
Example of divertissement
- The weekend fair served as a pleasant divertissement for the villagers.
- Playing card games was just a divertissement during their trip.
leisure activity 🔊
Meaning of leisure activity
Something done in free time for enjoyment.
Key Difference
Leisure activity is a general term, while a hobby implies regularity.
Example of leisure activity
- Swimming is a common leisure activity in the summer.
- Board games are a fun leisure activity for rainy days.
sideline 🔊
Meaning of sideline
An activity done in addition to one’s main job.
Key Difference
A sideline may generate income, unlike a hobby.
Example of sideline
- She runs a small bakery as a sideline to her teaching job.
- Woodworking started as a sideline but soon became profitable.
craft 🔊
Meaning of craft
An activity involving skill in making things by hand.
Key Difference
A craft is a specific type of hobby, often artistic.
Example of craft
- Knitting is a craft she learned from her grandmother.
- Pottery requires patience, making it a rewarding craft.
Conclusion
- A hobby is a personal passion pursued for joy, not for livelihood.
- Pastime is ideal for casual activities without long-term commitment.
- Avocation suits those who balance a serious hobby with their profession.
- Recreation is best for relaxation-focused activities.
- Pursuit fits dedicated, often skill-based interests.
- Interest is for broad curiosities that may not involve active engagement.
- Divertissement works for short-term entertainment.
- Leisure activity is a general term for any free-time enjoyment.
- Sideline is for hobbies that may turn into secondary income sources.
- Craft is perfect for hands-on, artistic hobbies like woodworking or knitting.