eng8-V1· Vocabulary· ~13 min

Free Time & Hobbies

Words for hobbies, leisure activities and going out.

In this topic, you will learn useful words and phrases about free time and hobbies. You will practise talking about different activities like gaming, jogging and photography, as well as places to go out such as the cinema or a museum. These words will help you describe what you enjoy doing in your spare time and understand others when they talk about their interests.

Key terms

spare time — free time when you are not working or studying
take up — to start doing a new hobby or activity
hang out — to spend time with friends in a relaxed way
be into something — to be interested in or enjoy something
entertainment — activities that amuse or interest people, such as films, music and games
join a club — to become a member of a group or organisation
Common Free-Time Verbs and Phrases
Verb / PhraseMeaningExample
take upstart a new hobbyI want to take up painting.
be intobe interested inShe is into photography.
hang outspend relaxed time with friendsWe hang out at the park.
join a clubbecome a member of a groupHe joined the chess club.
spare timefree time for hobbiesI read books in my spare time.

Five key phrases for talking about free time and hobbies.

✎Talking About Hobbies
  1. 1Step 1 — Start a new hobby: Use 'take up' + the hobby: 'I want to take up photography.'
  2. 2Step 2 — Say what you enjoy: Use 'be into' + the activity: 'I am really into board games.'
  3. 3Step 3 — Talk about where you go: Use 'go to' + the place: 'We often go to the cinema on weekends.'
  4. 4Step 4 — Describe your free time: Use 'spare time' to say when: 'In my spare time, I enjoy gaming.'
🚫Common mistake

Don't confuse 'take up' and 'be into'. 'Take up' is for starting something new: 'I want to take up jogging.' 'Be into' is for something you already enjoy: 'I am into jogging.'

💡Note

The word 'entertainment' covers many activities — films, music, games and shows are all forms of entertainment.

⚠️Caution

'Hang out' is informal. In essays or formal writing, use 'spend time with friends' instead.

Rules

  1. 1Use 'take up' when you start a new hobby: 'I want to take up painting.'
  2. 2Use 'be into' to talk about something you already enjoy: 'I am into football.'
  3. 3'Hang out' is informal — use it with friends, not in formal writing.
  4. 4Places to go out: cinema (films), museum (history), stadium (sports), art gallery (paintings).
  5. 5Activities ending in -ing (collecting, gaming, jogging) are often used as nouns.
  6. 6'Spare time' and 'free time' mean the same thing.

Practice

10 easy · 10 medium · 10 hard

10 random questions per test

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