Hobby vs. Interest
Main DifferenceThe main difference between the hobby and interest is that hobby is an activity that is done regularly for pleasure, particularly during one’s leisure time and interest is the desire or curiosity to learn about something or someone not only in spare time but in working hours too.

Difference Between Hobby and Interest
Hobby vs. Interest
A hobby is an activity that a person regularly does in his leisure time for pleasure whereas interest is an urge to want to learn more about something or to be involved in something.
Hobby vs. Interest
Hobbies inspire the dedication level conversely do interests do not inspire the same level of dedication.
Hobby vs. Interest
A hobby is an activity that one pursues pleasure and fun on the other hand interest is a broader area than this.
Hobby vs. Interest
A hobby is an activity done in one’s free time for enjoyment while interest is a desire to learn more about something or to be involved in something.
Hobby vs. Interest
Hobbies may be driven by interest on the flip side interest may not necessarily lead to a hobby.
Hobbynoun
An activity that one enjoys doing in one's spare time.
I like to collect stamps from different countries as a hobby.Interestnoun
The price paid for obtaining, or price received for providing, money or goods in a credit transaction, calculated as a fraction of the amount or value of what was borrowed.
Our bank offers borrowers an annual interest of 5%.Hobbynoun
(horses) An extinct breed of horse native to the British Isles, also known as the Irish Hobby
Interestnoun
(uncountable) A great attention and concern from someone or something; intellectual curiosity.
He has a lot of interest in vintage cars.Hobbynoun
Any of four species of small falcons in the genus Falco, especially Falco subbuteo.
Interestnoun
(uncountable) Attention that is given to or received from someone or something.
Hobbynoun
an auxiliary activity
Interestnoun
(countable) An involvement, claim, right, share, stake in or link with a financial, business, or other undertaking or endeavor.
When scientists and doctors write articles and when politicians run for office, they are required in many countries to declare any existing conflicts of interest.I have business interests in South Africa.Hobbynoun
a child's plaything consisting of an imitation horse mounted on rockers; the child straddles it and pretends to ride
Interestnoun
(countable) Something one is interested in.
Lexicography is one of my interests.Victorian furniture is an interest of mine.Hobbynoun
small Old World falcon formerly trained and flown at small birds
Interestnoun
Injury, or compensation for injury; damages.
Interestnoun
(usually plural) The persons interested in any particular business or measure, taken collectively.
the iron interest;the cotton interestInterestverb
To engage the attention of; to awaken interest in; to excite emotion or passion in, in behalf of a person or thing.
It might interest you to learn that others have already tried that approach.Action films don't really interest me.Interestverb
To be concerned with or engaged in; to affect; to concern; to excite.
Interestverb
(obsolete) To cause or permit to share.
Interestnoun
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something;
an interest in musicInterestnoun
the power of attracting or holding one's interest (because it is unusual or exciting etc.);
they said nothing of great interestprimary colors can add interest to a roomInterestnoun
a reason for wanting something done;
for your sakedied for the sake of his countryin the interest of safetyin the common interestInterestnoun
a fixed charge for borrowing money; usually a percentage of the amount borrowed;
how much interest do you pay on your mortgage?Interestnoun
a diversion that occupies one's time and thoughts (usually pleasantly);
sailing is her favorite pastimehis main pastime is gamblinghe counts reading among his intereststhey criticized the boy for his limited pursuitsInterestnoun
(law) a right or legal share of something; a financial involvement with something;
they have interests all over the worlda stake in the company's futureInterestnoun
(usually plural) a social group whose members control some field of activity and who have common aims;
the iron interests stepped up productionInterestverb
excite the curiosity of; engage the interest of
Interestverb
be on the mind of;
I worry about the second Germanic consonantInterestverb
be of importance or consequence;
This matters to me!Comparison Chart
Hobby | Interest |
something that a person does for relaxation and enjoyment and that is actively pursued | something that a person is curious or concerned about and wish to know or learn |
Active Pursuit | |
Pursued actively | Not actively pursued |
Interdependence | |
Driven by an interest | Not necessarily lead to a hobby |
Reason | |
Pleasure and relaxation | Curiosity and concern |
Monetary Rewards | |
Do not have | May have |
Done in | |
Free and spare time only | Free time or while working too |
Hobby vs. Interest
A hobby is something that a person does for relaxation and enjoyment, and that is actively pursued. Interest is something that a person might be curious or concerned about and merely wish to know or learn. Hobbies do not have any monetary rewards. Interests of a person can be various and may lead to his generating an income or making a living out of it. Hobbies are usually done during free time or during times that a person does not have to work. Interests can be done during free time or while working too as in the case of having your interest as a source of your income. A hobby is an activity done regularly in leisure time for pleasure. It mainly includes playing sports, collecting items and objects, engaging in creative and artistic pursuits, etc. The hobby involves an active pursuit of interest and action. Interest is a feeling to learn or know about something. If one has a strong interest in some subject, he or she may turn it into a hobby. But interest is not necessarily a hobby. Hobbies like stamp and flowers collecting may not be a source of income for a person, but at times the things collected can be sold as well. Hobbies often lead to discovery and invention. Interests may be a source of income or maybe a thing done without compensation. If a person is interested in cooking or likes to create dishes, he can either cook at home or he can make it a source of income by becoming a chef.
What is a Hobby?
Hobbies are the active pursuit of an interest that could involve collecting, cataloging, building, or creating something. It is a thing that you do when you are not working or studying. If someone is significantly interested in a particular hobby, then he is a hobbyist. In simple words, a hobby is an activity that you love doing in your spare time. It is a recreational pursuit. Hobbies can be direct but not necessarily associated with your profession. A person can gain a wealth of skills and knowledge through a hobby by engaging in it for a long period. Some hobbies have become less popular, and some new hobbies, like video gaming, surfing the internet have been created with the advent of technology. Hobbies need devotion; it is something that needs to be done systematically not occasionally. It is an action that one does on one’s own will not by the order or suggestion of someone else. If a person devotes his time into doing something that he loves, then that activity becomes a hobby. The hobby must be done systematically and not just once or occasionally. Hobbies are something sentimental that involves passionate feelings coupled with dedicated actions.
Examples
- collecting stamps, sea-shells, coins
- embroidery
- fishing
- gardening
- car restoration, singing
- hiking
- reading, writing
What is Interest?
Interests are pursuits that do not evoke the same strong dedication that hobbies do. If a person is interested in something, it does not mean that he needs to pursue it actively. You want to do it sometimes or sometimes not, but you are just interested in the subject or thought of it. Interest is a broad term including hobbies but not all the interests are hobbies. Interests refer to things or activities about what you are curious or concerned. If a person is interested in some field or subject, he/she may not pursue it actively. Like a person who has a passing interest in music may listen to music, but does not necessarily learn to play a musical instrument or to sing. Also, interest does not inspire the same level of dedication that hobbies do. Interest has a larger scope which includes hobbies. Interest is the desire of a person whose concern, attention and curiosity are particularly engaged by something that involves, concerns, draws the attention of or arouses the curiosity of a person. An interest is something one feels good to do or something for which one has a positive feeling.
Examples
- interest in poetry
- watching games or seasons
- singing
- cooking