HAH-bee
/ˈhɑbi/
hobby is pronounced HAH-bee (/ˈhɑbi/). A pastime or leisure activity undertaken for enjoyment in spare time. It is typically pursued for personal satisfaction rather than professional gain, often reflecting individual interests. The term encompasses activities people do regularly, such as crafts, sports, or arts, to relax, learn, or connect with others outside work duties.
A pastime or leisure activity undertaken for enjoyment in spare time. It is typically pursued for personal satisfaction rather than professional gain, often reflecting individual interests. The term encompasses activities people do regularly, such as crafts, sports, or arts, to relax, learn, or connect with others outside work duties.
"She’s taking up photography as a hobby to unwind after work."
"Many people collect stamps as a hobby and join clubs to share tips."
"His hobby of woodworking keeps him busy on weekends."
The standard pronunciation is /ˈhɒb.i/ in UK and /ˈhɑː.bi/ or /ˈhɒ.b i/ in some US varieties depending on regional vowel shifts. Stress is on the first syllable: HOB-by. The first vowel often sounds like the lot-lot or cot vowel in many dialects, followed by a light /i/ in the second syllable. Mouth position: begin with a low back vowel for /ɒ/ or /ɑː/ depending on accent, then release into a clear /b/ + short /i/; ensure the second syllable is quick and not fully stressed. Audio reference: listen to native speech in pronunciation resources to compare /ˈhɒbi/ vs /ˈhɑːbi/ for your accent.
Two common errors: (1) misplacing the /ɒ/ vs /ɑː/ vowel in the first syllable, leading to an unintended sound like /ˈhɒbi/ vs /ˈhɜːbi/. (2) Over-emphasizing the second syllable, making it sound like /ˈhoʊ.bi/ instead of a quick /bi/. Correction: keep the first syllable short or lax depending on your accent, and keep the second syllable unstressed, with a short, clipped /i/. Practice with minimal pairs like hobby vs hobbit to feel the difference.
In US English, /ˈhɑː.bi/ or /ˈhɒ.bi/ with a broad /ɑː/ or /ɒ/ vowel; rhotic speakers often pronounce the /r/ only in adjacent words, not in this word. In UK English, /ˈhɒ.bi/ with a short /ɒ/ and non-rhotic tendency; some dialects may merge vowels closer to /ɒ/ or /ɒː/ in older speech. Australian English generally presents /ˈhɒ.bi/ with a broad, flat /ɒ/ and minimal rhotic influence; the second syllable remains unstressed. Overall, the main differences are vowel quality and rhoticity; the stress remains on the first syllable across accents.
The difficulty centers on the short, lax vowel in the first syllable and the rapid, light second syllable with a clean /b/ onset and /i/ vowel. Some speakers shorten the first vowel or replace it with a schwa-like sound, and the final /i/ can blend with the preceding consonant in casual speech. Achieve accuracy by isolating /ˈhɒ/ or /ˈhɑː/ and practicing a brisk, crisp /bi/ without adding extra vowel length. IPA cues help compare your articulation to target pronunciations.
In hobby, the letter y represents a vowel sound in the second syllable, acting as /i/ (a high front unrounded vowel). The sequence /bi/ ends with a short /i/. The first syllable uses a vowel that varies by dialect: /ɒ/ or /ɑː/. The y’s vowel function is to create the second syllable’s nucleus; it’s not a consonant here. Practically, keep the /i/ sound crisp and brief to avoid creating a separate syllable or adding extra length.
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The word hobby originated in Middle English as hoby or hopy, from the Old English habban meaning to have or hold, reflecting a favorite pastime kept or “held” by a person. The modern sense emerged in the 14th–15th centuries. Early usage referred to a small horse kept for riding for pleasure, known as a hobby horse; the term gradually broadened to mean any favorite pastime. By the 19th century, hobby had become a general term for leisure activities pursued regularly for enjoyment rather than work. The semantic shift from a specific toy or pastime to broad recreational activity reflects broader social changes, including rising leisure time and the democratization of hobbies across classes. Today, hobby conveys personal interest-driven engagement, often with social or community dimensions through clubs, online forums, or classes. First known written uses appear in Middle English texts, with stable modern spelling by the 17th century and widespread usage in the Victorian era as leisure pursuits became more formalized and marketed.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "hobby" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "hobby" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "hobby" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "hobby"
-bby sounds
-al) sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
