hobby

/ˈhɒbi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈhɑːbi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhä-bē/ (ame, mw)

hobby — noun

  • hobbysingular
  • hobbiesplural

1. something you do regularly in your free time because you enjoy it, rather than f

1.名詞A2
釋義

something you do regularly in your free time because you enjoy it, rather than for work or school

例句

Apinya took up gardening as a hobby after retiring from the hospital.

collocation: take up [activity] as a hobby

Collecting stamps and old coins has been Hao's hobby since primary school.

gerund subject: collecting + hobby

同義詞
  • pastime

    slightly more general than hobby; can include passive activities like watching TV

  • interest

    focuses on what you enjoy learning about rather than actively doing

  • pursuit

    more formal; often implies a serious or dedicated activity

反義詞
  • work

    hobby is done for pleasure in free time; work is done for money or obligation

  • chore

    a routine task you have to do, not an activity you choose for enjoyment

用法筆記

Hobby often follows verbs such as 'take up', 'have', and 'pursue'. 'Take up a hobby' means to start doing it for the first time. This noun is countable — use 'a hobby' for one and 'hobbies' for more than one.

常見錯誤

❌Playing basketball is my habit.
✅Playing basketball is my hobby.
💡'habit' refers to something you do automatically without thinking, while 'hobby' is something you choose to do for fun.
❌My hobby is to play guitar.
✅My hobby is playing the guitar.
💡After 'hobby is', use a gerund (playing, collecting, painting), not an infinitive.

2. a small, fast-flying falcon native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, with dark blue u

2.名詞C2
釋義

a small, fast-flying falcon native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, with dark blue upperparts and pale underparts marked with dark streaks, known for catching insects and small birds while in flight

例句

Iker spotted a hobby flying low over the reeds near the riverbank yesterday.

collocation: spot a hobby + location phrase

The hobby catches dragonflies and small birds in the air with great speed.

同義詞
  • Eurasian hobby

    the full common name used in ornithology to distinguish this species from other 'hobby' falcons such as the Australian hobby

用法筆記

This sense is rare in everyday conversation and appears mainly in birdwatching field guides and wildlife texts. The scientific name is Falco subbuteo. Do not confuse with the Eurasian kestrel, which has a similar size but different hunting style.