Vocabulary/ A2 Vocabulary lessons and / Hobbies and free time – A2 English Vocabulary
Hobbies and Free Time Activities
Learn essential vocabulary to talk about your interests in English
About This Lesson
In this pre-intermediate vocabulary lesson about Hobbies and Free Time Activities, you will learn terms used to talk about your interests and preferences in English, as well as the names of different hobbies and free-time activities. The pictures, definitions, and sentence examples below will help you understand and remember these useful terms.
Expressing How Much You Like Something
From mild interest to passionate enthusiasm
- like / enjoy → I like painting. / I enjoy cooking.
- love → She loves hiking.
- be fond of / be keen on → They are fond of gardening. / He is keen on reading.
- be into → Tom is into photography.
- be crazy about → Mario is crazy about singing.
- do something for fun → I cook for fun on weekends.
After these verbs and expressions, use a noun (photography) or an -ing verb (taking photos).
Hobbies & Free Time Vocabulary
Collage of images showing 20 hobbies: collecting, crafts, painting, DIY, pottery, gardening, cooking, reading, etc.
Hobbies and Activities
collecting things
Getting as many items (e.g., stamps, books) as you can because they interest you.
John enjoys collecting things such as stamps and old postcards.
doing crafts
Creating handmade items like jewelry, scrapbooks, or knitted goods as a hobby.
I love doing crafts, such as making cards and sewing.
painting
Creating pictures using paint on canvas or paper.
I enjoy painting as a way to relax and express my feelings.
DIY (Do It Yourself)
Completing home improvement or creative projects yourself without professional help.
My husband loves doing DIY and is always building things for our home.
pottery
The craft of shaping objects from clay by hand.
These days, I enjoy doing pottery and making bowls out of clay.
gardening
Cultivating and caring for plants (flowers, vegetables, herbs) for enjoyment or food.
Luke is fond of gardening and grows all his own vegetables.
cooking
Preparing food by combining, mixing, and heating ingredients.
I enjoy cooking in my free time.
reading
Looking at and understanding written text in books, magazines, etc.
Nick is keen on reading and always has a book in his hand.
learning languages
Studying to understand, speak, read, or write in a non-native language.
I like learning languages and plan to start studying Italian.
watching TV
Viewing shows, movies, or news on a television screen.
We are fond of watching TV together when we get home in the evening.
playing video games
Engaging in interactive digital games on computers, consoles, or phones.
Lucy is crazy about playing video games and spends hours on her console.
going to the cinema
Visiting a movie theater to watch films on a big screen.
We like going to the cinema and see a film almost every weekend.
photography
The art or hobby of taking and processing photographs with a camera.
Mike is into taking photos/photography and has recently bought a new camera.
singing
Producing musical sounds with your voice.
Ken is crazy about singing and is part of a band.
playing instruments
Performing music using musical instruments like piano, guitar, or drums.
Harry loves playing instruments and is very good at the guitar.
working out
Doing physical exercise to improve health, strength, or fitness.
Don is into working out and visits the gym most days.
playing sports
Participating in athletic games like football, tennis, or basketball.
Joe enjoys playing football with his friends.
running
Moving quickly on foot, often as exercise.
I love running in the park before work.
hiking
Walking on trails or paths in nature for leisure and exercise.
My husband and I are keen on hiking in the mountains near our home.
fishing
Catching fish, either for food or as a relaxing pastime.
Fishing by the lake is my favorite way to relax and enjoy the weekend.