Free Time and Hobbies Vocabulary in English
Learn 136 English words and phrases about free time and hobbies. Use short English clues, listen to pronunciation, hide words for practice, study flashcards and test yourself with a quiz.
Nouns
| English clue | English word and pronunciation |
|---|---|
| A book for keeping photographs or collected items | album |
| A device used to take pictures | camera |
| A card game played by four people | bridge |
| Time when you are not working or studying | leisure; free time; spare time; time off |
| The activity of enjoying books and written texts | reading |
| Technology involving circuits and electronic devices | electronics |
| The art or activity of taking pictures | photography |
| A game played on a PC or similar device | computer game |
| A game played with a deck of cards | card game |
| Activities played for fun, often with rules | games |
| Games played on a tabletop with pieces or dice | board games |
| Puzzles and games based on letters and words | word games |
| An activity you enjoy regularly in your spare time | hobby |
| An object such as a guitar or violin used to make music | musical instrument |
| Riding a bicycle for pleasure or exercise | cycling |
| Someone who strongly supports an artist or team | fan |
| Someone who supports a soccer team | football fan |
| Gathering items of a particular kind as a pastime | collecting |
| An electronic machine for working or playing games | computer |
| Listening to distant radio stations as a hobby | DX-ing |
| A puzzle with intersecting words and numbered clues | crossword puzzle |
| Printed works you can read | books |
| Creating pictures using colours and brushes | painting |
| An activity that suddenly becomes very popular | craze |
| Sounds arranged as songs or instrumental pieces | music |
| Going underwater, often with special equipment | diving |
| Spending time viewing programmes on a screen | TV watching |
| The newest activity that has become very popular | the latest craze |
| A very strong interest or enthusiasm | passion |
| Moving through water using your arms and legs | swimming |
| Observing wildlife and the natural environment | nature-watching |
| Growing and caring for plants as a pastime | gardening |
| Someone you exchange friendly letters with | pen-friend |
| Making fabric by joining loops of yarn with needles | knitting |
| Something enjoyable that occupies your spare time | entertainment; pastime |
| Physical activity or competition with rules | sport |
| A board game with kings, queens and pawns | chess |
| Catching fish as a recreational activity | fishing |
| Subjects and activities that attract your attention | interests |
| Something you do, especially for enjoyment | activity |
| Collecting old and new pieces of money | coin collecting |
| Collecting postage items from different countries | stamp collecting |
| Making or repairing things yourself at home | do-it-yourself |
| Sailing or racing in a small boat with sails | yachting |
Adjectives
| English clue | English word and pronunciation |
|---|---|
| So engaging that it holds your attention | absorbing |
| Having nothing useful or interesting to do | at a loose end |
| Taking a great deal of time to complete | time-consuming |
| Behaving in an unconventional or unusual way | eccentric |
| Showing strong excitement and interest | enthusiastic |
| Extremely interesting or attractive | fascinating |
| Holding your attention or curiosity | interesting |
| Away from work or school for a break | on holiday |
| Done or taking place outside buildings | outdoor |
| Not common or typical | unusual |
| Very keen and willing to do something | eager; zealous |
| During the time following your job | after work |
| During the time following lessons | after school |
| Taking place inside a building | indoor |
| On Saturday or Sunday | at the weekend |
| Helping you feel calm and rested | relaxing |
| Not often seen or found | rare |
| Liked more than all the others | favourite |
| During the later part of each day | in the evenings |
| Very unusual or remarkable | extraordinary |
| Showing very strong feelings or enthusiasm | passionate |
Verbs
| English clue | English word and pronunciation |
|---|---|
| To belong officially to an organised group | to be a member of a club |
| To have skill or ability in an activity | to be good at sth |
| To be very interested in something | to be keen on sth |
| To be extremely enthusiastic about something | to be crazy about sth |
| To enjoy yourself | to have a good time |
| To talk informally with another person | to have a chat |
| To prepare food by heating or combining ingredients | to cook |
| To make music using an instrument | to play a musical instrument |
| To make music on an instrument with black and white keys | to play the piano |
| To take part in a particular four-player card game | to play bridge |
| To enjoy games using a PC or console | to play computer games |
| To take part in tabletop games | to play board games |
| To participate in games with a deck | to play cards |
| To compete in a game using kings and pawns | to play chess |
| To do small gardening tasks without a strict plan | to potter about in the garden |
| To look after an animal at home | to keep a pet |
| To find a subject or activity appealing | to be interested in |
| To have a meal at a restaurant | to eat out |
| To gather items such as stamps as a hobby | to collect (eg. stamps) |
| To exchange letters or messages with someone | to correspond |
| To spend time doing very little | to laze about |
| To find something pleasant or appealing | to like |
| To take pleasure in an activity | to enjoy (doing sth) |
| To create pictures using colours | to paint |
| To have plenty of hours when you are not busy | to have a lot of spare time |
| To share many interests or characteristics with someone | to have a lot in common with |
| To rent or own a small plot for growing plants | to have an allotment (garden) |
| To enjoy the same kinds of activities as someone | to have the same interests |
| To have extra time available | to have time to spare |
| To stop working and recover your energy | to have a rest |
| To view programmes on a television | to watch television |
| To watch movies recorded on video | to watch video films |
| To send written messages through the post | to write letters |
| To move through water for enjoyment or exercise | to swim; to go swimming |
| To dine at a restaurant | to go out for a meal |
| To visit a place where films are shown | to go to the cinema |
| To visit a bar serving beer and other drinks | to go to a pub |
| To attend a live stage performance | to go to the theatre |
| To meet someone for a beverage | to go for a drink |
| To visit a place for dancing to recorded music | to go to a disco |
| To take a stroll outdoors | to go for a walk |
| To attend a gathering or organised discussion | to go to a meeting |
| To help others without being paid | to do charity work |
| To operate a PC for work or fun | to use a computer |
| To care for plants and soil outside | to work in the garden |
| To rest and become less tense | to relax |
| To make clothes or fabric using yarn and needles | to knit |
| To use a camera to capture images | to take photographs |
| To solve puzzles made of intersecting words | to do crossword puzzles |
| To make pictures with a pencil or pen | to draw |
| To visit someone socially | to pay a visit |
| To hear and enjoy songs or instrumental pieces | to listen to music |
| To use your time on an activity | to spend time (doing sth) |
| To spend an enjoyable night away from home | to have an evening out |
| To meet friends in a group | to get together with friends |
| To join fabric with needle and thread | to sew |
| To create clothing for yourself | to make own clothes |
| To perform songs with a group of singers | to sing in a choir |
| To perform dance in a non-professional group | to dance in an amateur club |
| To study a language other than your first | to learn a foreign language |
| To grow and care for plants | to garden |
| To take part in a physical game or competition | to play a sport; to practise a sport |
| To feel deep affection for something | to love |
| To take your pet canine outside for exercise | to walk the dog; to take the dog for a walk |
| To decorate fabric with patterns made of thread | to embroider |
| To host or amuse other people | to entertain sb |
| To pass time when you have nothing particular to do | to while away the time; to kill time |
| To go outside briefly for clean air | to take a breath of fresh air |
| To begin a new activity or pastime | to take up (a hobby/a sport) |
| To continue practising an activity you enjoy | to pursue a hobby; to go in for sth |
| To become a member of an organised group | to join a club |
Flashcards – practise vocabulary
Read the English clue, guess the word or phrase, then reveal the answer or listen to its pronunciation.
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Quick quiz – 10 questions
Read the English clue and type the matching word or phrase. Each correct answer earns one point.
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