Avocation vs. Hobby — What's the Difference?

An avocation is an activity that someone engages in as a hobby outside their main occupation. There are many examples of people whose professions were the ways that they made their livings, but for whom their activities outside their workplaces were their true passions in life.

A hobby is considered to be a regular activity that is done for enjoyment, typically during one's leisure time. Hobbies include collecting themed items and objects, engaging in creative and artistic pursuits, playing sports, or pursuing other amusements.

A hobby or minor occupation

An activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure

An activity taken up in addition to one's regular work or profession, usually for enjoyment; a hobby.

A small horse or pony.

(obsolete) A calling away; a diversion.

A migratory Old World falcon with long, narrow wings, catching dragonflies and birds on the wing.

A hobby or recreational or leisure pursuit.

An activity or interest pursued outside one's regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure.

That which calls one away from one's regular employment or vocation.

Any of several small falcons of the genus Falco, formerly used for catching small birds or game.

Pursuits; duties; affairs which occupy one's time; usual employment; vocation.

An activity that one enjoys doing in one's spare time.

The calling of a case from an inferior to a superior court.

(horses) An extinct breed of horse native to the British Isles, also known as the Irish Hobby

A calling away; a diversion.

Any of four species of small falcons in the genus Falco, especially Falco subbuteo.

That which calls one away from one's regular employment or vocation.

A small, strong-winged European falcon (Falco subbuteo), formerly trained for hawking.

Pursuits; duties; affairs which occupy one's time; usual employment; vocation.

A strong, active horse, of a middle size, said to have been originally from Ireland; an ambling nag.

An auxiliary activity

A stick, often with the head or figure of a horse, on which boys make believe to ride.

A subject or plan upon which one is constantly setting off; a favorite and ever-recurring theme of discourse, thought, or effort; that which occupies one's attention unduly, or to the weariness of others; a ruling passion.

An auxiliary activity

A child's plaything consisting of an imitation horse mounted on rockers; the child straddles it and pretends to ride

Small Old World falcon formerly trained and flown at small birds