IELTS Vocabulary for Hobbies and Free Time

time not occupied by work or duties

I don't get much free time during the week.

to start doing a hobby

I'd love to take up a hobby like painting one day.

to use time doing something

I like to spend time outdoors whenever the weather is nice.

to walk somewhere for leisure

I usually go for a walk in the park after dinner.

to participate in sporting activities

I play sports with my friends most weekends.

to spend casual time with friends

We often hang out with friends at a local café.

to rest at home instead of going out

Sometimes I just want to relax at home and do nothing.

a hobby involving creating or making something

Photography is a creative hobby I picked up last year.

to use time without benefit

I feel like I waste time scrolling through my phone sometimes.

to feel a lack of interest or entertainment

I get bored quickly if I don't have a hobby to focus on.

to relax after a period of work or stress

Gardening is how I unwind after a stressful day.

to reduce feelings of stress

I go running mainly to de-stress after long shifts at work.

to stop doing something, often a habit or hobby

I don't want to give up playing the guitar just because I'm busy.

to become interested in an activity

It's easy to get into hiking once you have the right gear.

an activity done regularly for enjoyment

Reading has been my favourite pastime since childhood.

to restore energy and motivation

A weekend of hiking really helps me recharge my batteries.

an interest appealing to a small, specific group

Collecting vintage cameras is a bit of a niche interest of mine.

a hobby involving physical, practical activity

Woodworking is a very hands-on hobby that I find satisfying.

to become exhausted from overwork or overcommitment

I picked up painting again so I don't burn out from constant overtime.

to mentally stop thinking about work

Playing chess helps me switch off from work completely.

to resume an activity after a break

I decided to pick back up my old hobby of photography this year.

an activity done for enjoyment rather than necessity

Cycling is my main recreational activity most weekends.

a means of expressing creative energy

Drawing has always been an outlet for creativity for me.

something that pleasantly takes attention away from stress

Gardening has become a welcome distraction from work pressure.

something that relieves built-up stress or tension

Running has become a much-needed release after long days at my desk.

a task done for enjoyment despite the effort involved

Restoring the old bicycle was a labour of love for me, honestly.

providing real satisfaction or a sense of achievement

Learning the piano as an adult has been genuinely rewarding.

an interest that occupies most of someone's time and energy

Chess became an all-consuming passion for him during university.

to balance work responsibilities with personal time

Having a hobby I love genuinely helps me strike a work-life balance.

a way of communicating one's identity or feelings

For me, painting is really a means of self-expression more than a skill.