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.”