pastime

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "pastime" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in a variety of contexts to refer to an activity or hobby that one finds enjoyable and engages in during their free time. For example, "Playing tennis has become my favorite pastime".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sounds like a 1970s porno, but is actually an ancient and thoroughly respectable Arabic pastime, and the second it started, it immediately went to the top of my "Why El Fenn is better than everywhere else" list.

The Guardian - Travel

Perhaps surprisingly, this temple to a key pastime of students and the hungover has been launched by a physiotherapist, Bryan Robertson.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

While their growing eminence may or may not presage a new era of European dominance, their swelling popularity reveals the power of their thumb-twitching pastime — and how eager golf fans are for vivid personalities.

The New York Times - Sports

The clubs then use them as sounding boards for the opinions of their general support, which is where a harmless pastime can become quite dangerous.

The Guardian - Sport

In Britain, by contrast, it's a pastime for thirtysomethings down the pub or on holiday.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yes, I know the SNL bit was just a joke, and Palin was a surprisingly good sport about it (much like shooting wolves from a helicopter, another favorite Palin pastime).

The Guardian - Opinion

That honour, instead, went to John Wycliffe, a 14th-century theologian, scholar and clerical troublemaker who translated the Bible into English in the 1380s, and argued for much of his life against the power and wealth of the pope – a somewhat edgy pastime that led to his bones being dug up and burned after his death, before being chucked into a river in Leicestershire.

The Guardian

National stereotyping became a European pastime: German papers castigating Greeks as tax-dodging, venal and work-shy; Greeks hitting back with Angela-Merkel-as-Adolf-Hitler posters.

The Guardian

Tanty, the most prominent female character in the book, is a nosy old matron whose favourite pastime is discussing other people's business at the top of her voice in shops, as if she is "in the market-place back home".

The Guardian - Books

The favourite pastime of us on the so-called liberal left and the chic radical websites we turn to when we need a comfort blanket is to lob fruit at Westminster and the private school elitism that drives it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Our appeal to readers to prove that this wasn't just a metropolitan pastime produced the following gems from the UK and the US.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a regular activity someone enjoys, using the word "pastime" adds a touch of sophistication; however, ensure the context isn't overly casual, where simpler words like "hobby" might be more suitable.

Common error

Avoid using "pastime" when you mean to "pass time". "Pastime" is a noun referring to the activity itself, while "pass time" is a verb phrase indicating the act of spending time. Ensure you use the correct form to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "pastime" functions primarily as a noun, denoting an activity or hobby pursued for enjoyment and relaxation. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it correctly fits in various contexts as a subject or object within sentences. Examples show its use in describing activities from sports to intellectual pursuits.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "pastime" is a versatile noun used to describe activities pursued for enjoyment and relaxation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it fits grammatically in a wide range of contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Formal & Business publications, it maintains a neutral to slightly formal tone. To enhance clarity, remember that while "pastime" refers to the activity itself, "pass time" is the verb phrase for spending time. Alternatives like "hobby", "recreation", and "leisure activity" offer similar meanings but might suit different levels of formality or specific contexts better. Ultimately, "pastime" remains a reliable and widely understood term for describing how people enjoy their free time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hobby

Focuses on a regularly pursued activity, often for enjoyment.

recreation

Emphasizes activities done for enjoyment when not working.

leisure activity

Highlights that the activity is done during free time.

amusement

Suggests something that is entertaining and diverting.

diversion

Implies a way to distract oneself from boredom or stress.

recreational pursuit

More formal, emphasizing the engaging and enjoyable nature.

favorite activity

Highlights personal preference and enjoyment.

way to unwind

Focuses on the relaxing aspect of the activity.

something to do in one's free time

A more descriptive and less concise alternative.

form of relaxation

Emphasizes the calming and stress-relieving qualities of the activity.

FAQs

How can I use "pastime" in a sentence?

"Pastime" is used to describe an activity done regularly for enjoyment. For example, "Gardening is a relaxing "pastime" for many retirees".

What are some alternatives to the word "pastime"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "hobby", "recreation", or "leisure activity" to replace "pastime".

Is it correct to say "pass time" instead of "pastime"?

"Pass time" is a verb phrase that means to spend time, while "pastime" is a noun referring to the activity itself. They are not interchangeable. Use "pass time" to describe the act of spending time and "pastime" to describe the activity.

What's the difference between a hobby and a pastime?

While both refer to activities done for enjoyment, "hobby" often implies a more dedicated and skillful pursuit, whereas "pastime" can refer to any activity done to "pass the time".