hobby

UK: /ˈhɒbi/ US: /ˈhɑbi/ ,(hob′ē)

Inflections of 'hobby' (n): npl: hobbies

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

hob•by¹ /ˈhɑbi/   n. [countable] , pl. -bies. 

1. an activity engaged in for pleasure or relaxation:
   stamp collecting and other hobbies.

hob•by•ist, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

hob•by¹  (hob′ē), n., pl. -bies. 

1. an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation:
   Her hobbies include stamp-collecting and woodcarving.
2. a child's hobbyhorse.
3. [Archaic.] a small horse.
4. Idioms ride a hobby, to concern oneself excessively with a favorite notion or activity.

Also, ride a hobbyhorse. 

• Middle English hoby(n), probably for Robin, or Robert (compare hob²), used as horse's name, as in dobbin 1325–75

hob′by•ist, n. 
hob′by•less, adj. 

hob•by²  (hob′ē), n., pl. -bies. 

1. Birds a small Old World falcon, Falco subbuteo, formerly flown at such small game as larks.

• Middle Dutch hob(b)elen to turn, roll; compare Dutch hobbelen to rock, jolt (compare hobble)
• Middle French hobé, suffixal variant of Middle French, Old French hobel (compare French hobereau), probably noun, nominal derivative of hobeler to skirmish, harass, perh.
• late Middle English hoby 1400–50

Hob•by  (hob′ē), n. 

Oveta Culp  (kulp), born 1905, U.S. newspaper publisher and government official: first director of Women's Army Corps 1942–45;
first Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare 1953–55.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

hobby / ˈhɒbɪ/ noun ( -bies)

1. an activity pursued in spare time for pleasure or relaxation
2. a small horse or pony
3. short for hobbyhorse1
4. an early form of bicycle, without pedals

Etymology: 14th Century hobyn, probably variant of proper name Robin; compare dobbin

ˈhobbyist noun

hobby / ˈhɒbɪ/ noun ( -bies)

1. any of several small Old World falcons, esp the European Falco subbuteo, formerly used in falconry

Etymology: 15th Century: from Old French hobet, from hobe falcon; probably related to Middle Dutch hobbelen to roll, turn