[General] Difference between hobby and entertainment

[Venus.jam]

Hi

In a story that I'm reading it I came across "hobby" ("taking care of plants in and around our homes is a hobby for many people").
Then, in the exercises section one of the questions is that "find word in the story that mean "entertainment". There is no other word in the story except "hobby" whose meaning is close to entertainment. I wonder if I can choose "hobby" as an answer to this exercise. Does hobby mean "entertainment"? If not, what is the Difference between hobby and entertainment?

 

[teechar]

It's hard for us to tell. Is that story available online? How long is it?

 

[jutfrank]

A hobby is a kind of entertainment, I suppose. People usually do their hobbies to entertain themselves.

 

[Venus.jam]

A hobby is a kind of entertainment, I suppose. People usually do their hobbies to entertain themselves.

Thank you. But, can we consider them as synonyms?

 

[Venus.jam]

It's hard for us to tell. Is that story available online? How long is it?

Yes, it is availabe on http://www.iss.k12.nc.us/cms/lib4/N...omain/4769/What Comes From Plants Level J.pdf
The title of the passage is "what comes from plants"

 

[jutfrank]

But, can we consider them as synonyms?

I wouldn't, no. Personally, I don't like the term 'synonym' and I don't use it.

I would prefer to say that a hobby is one member of the set of words labelled a kind of entertainment.

 

[ChinaDan]

It does appear that "entertainment" is the word they are looking for, but I agree with the others; this is a very poor choice on the part of the writer of this question. "Pastime" would have been a better match for "hobby".

 

[Venus.jam]

It does appear that "entertainment" is the word they are looking for, but I agree with the others; this is a very poor choice on the part of the writer of this question. "Pastime" would have been a better match for "hobby".

As you see, "hobby", "entertainment" and "pastime" are all considered to be synonyms. Can we say that pastime, under the word "pastim".
However, both "hobby" and "entertainment" are only synonymous with "pastime".
Isn't it possible to consider all three words as synonyms?!

[h=2]hobby[/h]noun pastime, relaxation, leisure pursuit, sideline, diversion, avocation, favourite occupation, (leisure) activity


[h=2]pastime[/h]noun activity, game, sport, entertainment, leisure, hobby, relaxation, recreation, distraction, amusement, diversion


[h=2]entertainment[/h]noun1. enjoyable, fun, pleasure, leisure, satisfaction, relaxation, recreation, enjoyment, distraction, amusement, diversion I play the piano purely for my own entertainment.
2. pastime, show, sport, performance, play, treat, presentation, leisure activity, beer and skittles

 

[Rover_KE]

As you see, "hobby", "entertainment" and "pastime" are all considered to be synonyms. Can we say that pastime, under the word "pastim".
However, both "hobby" and "entertainment" are only synonymous with "pastime".
Isn't it possible to consider all three words as synonyms?

Under discussion here. Thread closed.