hobby

plural hobbies

1. An activity that one enjoys doing in one's spare time.

   take up a hobby

   2 more examples

   I like to collect stamps from different countries as a hobby.

   give up your hobby

   Synonyms: avocation

2. equestrianismAn extinct breed of horse native to the British Isles, also known as the Irish Hobby.

   I was out a-hunting to-day, and I got away to a place in the wood I’d never seen before. And there was an old chalk-pit. And I heard a kind of a sort of humming. So I got off my hobby, and I went right quiet to the pit, and I looked down.

   1890, Joseph Jacobs, “Tom Tit Tot”, in English Fairy Tales, page 7

3. Synonym of hobby horse (“a favorite topic”).

   1 more example

   "Well, I think East is right," said Arthur; "I can't see but what it's right to do the best you can, though it mayn't be the best absolutely. Every man isn't born to be a martyr." "Of course, of course," said East; "but he's on one of his pet hobbies. — How often have I told you, Tom, that you must drive a nail where it'll go."

   1857, Thomas Hughes, Tom Brown's School Days

   Synonyms: hobby horse

4. Painting and building miniatures (as opposed to playing the game)

   I'm more into the competitive part than the hobby part of this game.

plural hobbies

1. Any of four species of small falcons in the genus Falco, especially Falco subbuteo.

   He hawked – from nearby Esher, Richard Fox sent a servant with a hobby, which Henry received enthusiastically – and hunted, sending a present of freshly slaughtered deer to Princess Mary.

   2011, Thomas Penn, Winter King, Penguin, published 2012, page 323

   Synonyms: avocation, pastime

plural Hobbies · nonstandard plural Hobbys

1. An English surname transferred from the given name.