Hobbies: meaning, definitions and examples

Most commonly used to describe regular activities that one enjoys doing in their free time. Suitable for casual conversation, formal writing, and broad contexts.

• Her hobbies include painting and hiking.
• People often take up new hobbies to relieve stress.

Used to refer to subjects or activities that someone is curious about or enjoys learning more about. It can be broader than hobbies and include passive engagement.

• My interests include history and classical music.
• She has a keen interest in astronomy.

Refers to activities that people do regularly for enjoyment. Often used in a nostalgic or more old-fashioned way.

• Reading detective novels is one of his favorite pastimes.
• Fishing has been a popular pastime for years.

Refers to activities done during one's free time for relaxation or enjoyment. Often used in formal contexts or discussions about lifestyle.

• Leisure activities such as swimming and yoga can help reduce stress.
• The survey asked about participants' leisure activities.

Used to describe activities done for fun or relaxation during free time.

• She has many hobbies, including painting and hiking
• Playing the guitar is one of his favorite hobbies

Used for something that a person thinks about constantly and can't seem to let go of. This word often implies a negative impact.

• His obsession with perfection made him redo his work multiple times
• She couldn’t focus on anything else due to her obsession with social media

Used for something that someone loves deeply and feels strongly about. It can be both positive and negative depending on context.

• Teaching is her passion, and she dedicates countless hours to her students
• His passion for cooking led him to become a chef

Used when someone has an unhealthy or overly intense focus on something. It often has a negative connotation.

• His fixations on video games affected his school performance
• She had a fixation with cleanliness, washing her hands every few minutes