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.”