How Do You Spell HOBBY?

Pronunciation: [hˈɒbi] (IPA)

The word "hobby" (/ˈhɒbi/) is spelled with two b's even though the pronunciation might suggest only one. This is because the word is derived from the word "hob," which refers to a small horse or pony. The verb "hobble" means to move unsteadily, like a hobbling horse. When the term "hobby-horse" became popular in the 16th century, it referred to a child's toy horse on a stick. Over time, the term "hobby" evolved to refer to any activity pursued for pleasure or relaxation.

HOBBY Meaning and Definition

  1. A hobby is an enjoyable and recreational activity that individuals engage in during their leisure time. It is an interest or passion pursued outside of one's regular work or professional obligations. Hobbies are voluntarily chosen by individuals based on personal preferences and often reflect their diverse interests or talents.

    Engaging in a hobby provides individuals with a sense of fulfillment, relaxation, and personal satisfaction. Hobbies can be pursued alone or with others, either in physical or virtual settings. They can involve various activities such as collecting, crafting, sports, reading, painting, gardening, playing musical instruments, cooking, photography, and many more.

    Hobbies serve as a creative outlet, allowing individuals to express themselves and explore their skills and abilities in a non-pressured and enjoyable manner. Hobbies can also foster personal growth, as individuals often learn new skills, acquire knowledge, and develop new perspectives through their hobby-related experiences.

    Moreover, hobbies can have health benefits, both mentally and physically. They can reduce stress, provide an escape from daily routine, improve concentration, and enhance cognitive abilities. Additionally, engaging in physically active hobbies can promote fitness, coordination, and overall well-being.

    Overall, hobbies are a valued aspect of human life, providing individuals with a platform for personal expression, relaxation, and enjoyment outside of their professional pursuits. They contribute to personal development, well-being, and a balanced lifestyle.

  2. • A stick on which young boys place themselves astride and ride; a wooden horse on which children ride; a pasteboard representation of a horse fastened to a man, who appears then to be riding on horseback; the favourite object or pursuit of any one.
    • A small but strong-winged falcon-formerly trained for hawking.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for HOBBY *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for HOBBY

Etymology of HOBBY

The word "hobby" originated from the late 16th century English term "hobbyhorse", which referred to a small horse or pony. The term was derived from the Middle English word "hoby", meaning a small horse or pony. "Hoby" itself derived from the Old French word "hobi", which meant a small horse or a pony. Over time, the term "hobbyhorse" began to represent a child's toy horse that they would ride by straddling a stick with a horse's head attached to one end. Eventually, the term "hobby" detached from its association with toy horses and started to imply a favorite pastime, activity, or occupation, leading to its current meaning of a personal interest or leisure pursuit.

Idioms with the word HOBBY

  • ride a hobby The idiom "ride a hobby" generally refers to someone excessively talking or boasting about a particular interest or topic, often to the point of annoying or irritating others. It suggests that the person is excessively passionate or focused on their hobby and tends to dominate conversations by constantly talking about it.
  • hobby-horse The idiom "hobby-horse" refers to a particular topic, activity, or interest that someone is excessively passionate or obsessed about. It implies a recurring and often exaggerated enthusiasm or preoccupation with a specific subject.
  • get on (one's) hobby-horse The idiom "get on (one's) hobby-horse" means to obsessively and passionately talk or rant about a particular topic or issue that one is highly interested in, often to the point of annoying or boring others. It implies that the person is fixated on the subject like one would be on a hobby or personal interest, hence the term "hobby-horse."
  • ride (one's) hobby-horse The idiom "ride one's hobby-horse" is used to describe someone's tendency to repeatedly talk about or engage in a specific topic or issue, often to the annoyance or disinterest of others. It refers to someone passionately and obsessively pursuing or promoting their own favorite or pet topic, similar to a child riding a toy horse (hobby-horse) with great enthusiasm and single-mindedness.
  • on (one's) hobby-horse The idiom "on (one's) hobby-horse" refers to someone passionately and often excessively discussing or engaging in a particular topic or activity that they are highly interested in or knowledgeable about. It implies that the person is "riding" their hobby like one would ride a hobby-horse, completely engrossed in their favored subject.

Similar spelling words for HOBBY

Plural form of HOBBY is HOBBIES

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