Hobbies Vocabulary for English Students

Speaking about hobbies is an important part of any English class. As with any activity, hobbies can have lots of jargon, specific expressions, and idioms related to the particular hobby. This guide to hobbies vocabulary will help learners discuss hobbies using a wider range of vocabulary for more precision. Learn vocabulary in groups arranged by hobby types. 

Hobbies Vocabulary Study List

Discover with your partner each of the hobby types below. If you don't know the hobby, look the hobby up on the internet to discover photos and other clues to learn about that hobby. Try to use each hobby type in a short sentence to explain the hobby.

Hobbies Vocabulary Exercises

Use one of the hobby types to fill in the gap in the descriptions below.

collecting
models and electronics
performing arts
food & drink
games
individual sports
team sport
martial arts
outdoor activity
board sports
motorsports

1. __________ requires you to find as many as possible of one type of thing such as baseball cards, or vinyl records.
2. Arcade _____ include pinball machines and a wide variety of computer games that are played in a large room.
3. You play a ________ if you play basketball, soccer or water polo.
4. Snowboarding and windsurfing are types of ____________.
5. If you like bartending and cooking you look _________.
6. Head to the mountains to enjoy _________ such as kayaking, river ​rafting, and rafting. 
7. ___________ such as snowmobiling and go karts can be rather expensive, especially if you don't know how to repair vehicles. 
8. Some people prefer ______________ rather than team sports. These include boxing, fencing and golf. 
9. People all over the world practice ________ such as Kung Fu and Aikido. 
10. _________________ often include building your own model. 
11. People who sing, act or dance participate in the _______________. 

Answers

1. collecting
2. model and electronics
3. performing arts
4. food & drink
5. games
6. individual sports
7. team sport
8. martial arts
9. outdoor activity 
10. board sports
11. motorsports

Match the hobby or activity to the definition. In some cases, a number of hobbies may be correct.

1. This is a type of dancing that comes from Vienna.
2. This is an activity that involves smoking something that looks like a long, brown stick.
3. This is an activity that involves making small reproductions of airplanes.
4. You play this instrument with a bow.
5. In order to keep these pets you shouldn't be queasy.
6. This is an individual sport that can calm you, as well as keep you in shape.
7. You might climb Everest if you do this hobby.
8. Ride a motorized vehicle with two wheels for this hobby.
9. If you collect this type of comic book, you might need to read Japanese.
10. This hobby involves telling jokes.
11. You must know poker and blackjack if you do this hobby.
12. You must have a good relationship with animals to participate in this sport.
13. This martial art comes from Korea.
14. Fly down the snowy hill on a board with this hobby.
15. Your partner will be stuffed if you take up this hobby.

Answers

1. Waltz
2. Cigar smoking
3. Model airplanes
4. Violin / Viola / Cello
5. Rodents / Snakes / Reptiles
6. Yoga / Tai Chi / Pilates
7. Mountain climbing
8. Motocross / Motorcycle - Touring / Motorcycle Stunts
9. Manga
10. Stand up comedy
11. Card games
12. Horseback riding
13. Taekwondo
14. Snowboarding / Skiing
15. Cooking

Using Hobby Vocabulary in Class

Here are two suggestions on how you can use this list in classroom activities. If you don't attend an English class, you can certainly use these ideas on your own and with English learning friends.

Give a Presentation

• Ask students to choose a hobby they'd like to learn.
• Ask students to develop a presentation on the hobby using PowerPoint or another slideshow program. 
• Extend the presentation by asking students to come up with their own gap fill activity to test fellow students on their presentation.

20 Questions

• Ask students to choose a hobby they know well.
• Have students get into small groups of three or four.
• Each student takes a turn. Other students should ask yes/no questions to find out the hobby in a game of 20 questions.