Unit 3 B1 Vocabulary—Hobbies and Interests

Photography

  • Definition: The art or practice of taking and processing photographs.
  • Example: “She enjoys photography as a hobby, capturing beautiful moments.”

Painting

  • Definition: The activity of applying paint to a surface, such as canvas or paper, to create art.
  • Example: “He spends his weekends painting landscapes in the park.”

Knitting

  • Definition: The action or activity of making fabric by interlocking loops of yarn with knitting needles.
  • Example: “She learned knitting from her grandmother and enjoys making scarves and sweaters.”

Gardening

  • Definition: The practice of growing and cultivating plants as a hobby or leisure activity.
  • Example: “He finds peace and relaxation in gardening, tending to his flowers and vegetables.”

Cooking

  • Definition: The practice or skill of preparing food by combining, mixing, and heating ingredients.
  • Example: “She loves cooking new recipes from around the world and experimenting in the kitchen.”

Sculpting

  • Definition: The art of making two- or three-dimensional representative or abstract forms, especially by carving stone or wood or by casting metal or plaster.
  • Example: “He spends hours sculpting clay into intricate shapes and figures.”

Dancing

  • Definition: The activity of moving rhythmically to music, typically following a set sequence of steps.
  • Example: “They go dancing every Saturday night, enjoying various styles like salsa and tango.”

Hiking

  • Definition: The activity of walking in natural environments, typically in mountains or countryside.
  • Example: “They enjoy hiking trails on weekends, exploring nature and enjoying the fresh air.”

Camping

  • Definition: The activity of spending a vacation living in a tent or camper, typically in a natural setting.
  • Example: “They go camping every summer, enjoying the simplicity of outdoor living.”

Drawing

  • Definition: The action or skill of making marks on a surface using a pen, pencil, or another tool.
  • Example: “She carries a sketchbook everywhere, always ready to capture moments through drawing.”

Playing an Instrument

  • Definition: The activity of producing musical sounds using a musical instrument, such as a guitar, piano, or violin.
  • Example: “He spends hours practicing guitar, enjoying the harmony and rhythm of music.”

Traveling

  • Definition: The activity of going from one place to another, especially over a distance.
  • Example: “She loves traveling to new countries, experiencing different cultures and cuisines.”

Birdwatching

  • Definition: The activity of observing and identifying birds in their natural environment.
  • Example: “They set up bird feeders in their backyard and spend hours birdwatching.”

Collecting

  • Definition: The activity of gathering and accumulating objects of a particular type, such as stamps, coins, or vintage items.
  • Example: “He has a passion for collecting rare coins from around the world.”

Yoga

  • Definition: A Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which, including breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practiced for health and relaxation.
  • Example: “She practices yoga daily to maintain physical and mental well-being.”

DIY (Do-It-Yourself)

  • Definition: The activity of making or repairing things oneself, especially at home.
  • Example: “He enjoys DIY projects, renovating furniture and improving his home.”

Baking

  • Definition: The practice of cooking food by dry heat, typically in an oven, especially bread, cakes, and pastries.
  • Example: “She spends her weekends baking cookies and cakes for her friends and family.”

Pottery

  • Definition: The art or activity of making objects from clay and firing them in a kiln.
  • Example: “He finds therapy in pottery, shaping clay into beautiful ceramic pieces.”

Cycling

  • Definition: The activity of riding a bicycle for exercise or recreation.
  • Example: “They enjoy cycling through the countryside, exploring scenic routes.”

Playing Board Games

  • Definition: The activity of playing games that involve counters or pieces moved or placed on a pre-marked surface or “board.”
  • Example: “They host game nights regularly, playing board games with friends and family.”

Swimming

  • Definition: The activity of moving through water by moving the limbs, usually the arms and legs.
  • Example: “She goes swimming at the local pool for exercise and relaxation.”

Woodworking

  • Definition: The activity or skill of making items from wood, typically using carpentry tools.
  • Example: “He enjoys woodworking in his garage, crafting furniture and decorations.”

 

Origami

  • Definition: The art of folding paper into decorative shapes and figures.
  • Example: “She enjoys making origami animals in her free time.”

Calligraphy

  • Definition: The art of producing decorative handwriting or lettering with a pen or brush.
  • Example: “He practices calligraphy to improve his handwriting skills.”

Stargazing

  • Definition: The activity of observing the stars and other celestial objects in the night sky.
  • Example: “They spend evenings stargazing with a telescope in their backyard.”

Embroidery

  • Definition: The art of decorating fabric or other materials with needle and thread or yarn.
  • Example: “She creates beautiful embroidery designs on pillows and clothing.”

Scrapbooking

  • Definition: The activity of preserving memories in the form of photographs, clippings, and other memorabilia in a scrapbook.
  • Example: “They spend weekends scrapbooking, documenting their travels and special moments.”

Genealogy

  • Definition: The study of family ancestry and history.
  • Example: “He is researching his genealogy to learn more about his ancestors.”

Metal Detecting

  • Definition: The activity of searching for metal objects buried underground using a metal detector.
  • Example: “He enjoys metal detecting on the beach, hoping to find hidden treasures.”

Astrophotography

  • Definition: The practice of photographing celestial objects and astronomical phenomena.
  • Example: “She takes stunning astrophotography images of the night sky and galaxies.”

Model Building

  • Definition: The activity of assembling and painting scale models of objects, such as cars, airplanes, or ships.
  • Example: “He spends hours model building, creating intricate replicas of historical ships.”

Geocaching

  • Definition: The recreational activity of hunting for and finding hidden objects using GPS coordinates posted on a website.
  • Example: “They go geocaching on weekends, searching for hidden treasures in the woods.”

Archery

  • Definition: The sport or practice of shooting arrows with a bow.
  • Example: “She practices archery at the local range, improving her aim and concentration.”

Beekeeping

  • Definition: The practice of keeping and caring for bees, usually for the purpose of harvesting honey.
  • Example: “He enjoys beekeeping as a hobby, tending to his beehives in the backyard.”

Mosaics

  • Definition: The art of creating images with small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials.
  • Example: “She creates beautiful mosaics, decorating tabletops and walls with intricate designs.”

Foraging

  • Definition: The activity of searching for wild food resources.
  • Example: “They enjoy foraging for mushrooms and berries in the forest.”

Metalworking

  • Definition: The craft or process of shaping and manipulating metal into useful or decorative objects.
  • Example: “He practices metalworking in his workshop, creating sculptures and jewelry.”

Bonsai

  • Definition: The art of growing small trees in containers, which mimic the shape and scale of full-size trees.
  • Example: “She cultivates bonsai trees, carefully pruning and shaping them into miniature landscapes.”

Aquarium Keeping

  • Definition: The hobby of maintaining a collection of aquatic plants and animals in a tank or aquarium.
  • Example: “He spends hours tending to his aquarium, ensuring the health and well-being of his fish and plants.”

Kite Flying

  • Definition: The activity of flying kites, usually in open outdoor spaces.
  • Example: “They go kite flying in the park on windy days, enjoying the colorful designs dancing in the sky.”

Astrology

  • Definition: The study of the positions and movements of celestial bodies in relation to human behavior and events.
  • Example: “She enjoys reading about astrology and horoscopes, fascinated by the connections between celestial phenomena and personality traits.”

Metalworking

  • Definition: The craft or process of shaping and manipulating metal into useful or decorative objects.
  • Example: “She enjoys metalworking, creating sculptures and jewelry from various metals.”

Kiteboarding

  • Definition: A surface water sport that combines aspects of wakeboarding, snowboarding, windsurfing, surfing, paragliding, skateboarding, and gymnastics into one extreme sport.
  • Example: “He spends his weekends kiteboarding at the beach, riding the waves and catching the wind.”

Horticulture

  • Definition: The art or practice of garden cultivation and management.
  • Example: “She has a degree in horticulture and enjoys landscaping and gardening as a hobby.”