hobby farmer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1informal, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “hobby farmer” mean?
A person who farms on a small scale, primarily for pleasure or as a secondary occupation rather than as their main source of income.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who farms on a small scale, primarily for pleasure or as a secondary occupation rather than as their main source of income.
Someone who engages in agricultural activities (raising animals, growing crops) as a leisure pursuit or side project, often while maintaining another primary career. The farm is typically not economically self-sustaining.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used in both varieties with identical meaning. No significant lexical differences.
Connotations
In both varieties, it can imply either a passionate amateur or someone dabbling without full commitment. Context determines positive or slightly dismissive tone.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to larger rural/suburban populations with land, but well-established in British English.
Grammar
How to Use “hobby farmer” in a Sentence
[be/become] a hobby farmerhobby farmer [with/on] a smallholdinghobby farmer [growing/raising] XVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hobby farmer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He decided to hobby-farm after retiring, keeping a few sheep on his paddock.
- They're hobby-farming on their smallholding in Norfolk.
American English
- She started hobby-farming on her five acres outside Austin.
- Many tech workers hobby-farm as a way to unwind.
adverb
British English
- He farms hobby-fashion, more for the enjoyment than the profit.
American English
- They run their ranch hobby-style, focusing on heritage breeds.
adjective
British English
- The hobby-farming community in the Cotswolds is quite active.
- It's just a hobby-farming venture, not a business.
American English
- They attended a hobby-farming workshop on beekeeping.
- The county has zoning rules for hobby-farming activities.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in discussions of agricultural economics to contrast with commercial operations.
Academic
Rare, except in sociological or rural studies contexts discussing land use and lifestyle migration.
Everyday
Common in conversations about rural life, weekend activities, or career changes.
Technical
Not used in agronomy; terms like 'non-commercial operator' or 'small-scale producer' are preferred.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hobby farmer”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hobby farmer”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hobby farmer”
- Using 'hobby farmer' to describe someone who farms professionally but has other hobbies.
- Capitalising it as a proper noun (Hobby Farmer).
- Confusing with 'free-range farmer', which is a farming method, not a scale/intent.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not inherently. It is descriptive. Tone depends on context. It can be used neutrally or positively by the individuals themselves, but might be used dismissively by full-time farmers questioning their commitment or knowledge.
Yes, many hobby farmers sell surplus produce, eggs, or meat, but the operation is not designed or scaled to provide a primary livelihood. Profit is often secondary to enjoyment or self-sufficiency.
A 'gentleman farmer' is a specific type of hobby farmer, historically implying a person of independent wealth (a 'gentleman') who farms for pleasure or prestige. 'Hobby farmer' is a broader, more modern term without the wealth connotation.
No. A hobby farmer could have a small urban plot with chickens or a larger rural property. The key is intent (pleasure/side activity) rather than scale.
A person who farms on a small scale, primarily for pleasure or as a secondary occupation rather than as their main source of income.
Hobby farmer is usually informal, journalistic in register.
Hobby farmer: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɒbi ˌfɑːmə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɑːbi ˌfɑːrmər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “farming as a hobby”
- “more of a hobby than a business”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A 'hobby' is for fun; a 'farmer' works the land. A hobby farmer does farming for fun, not as their main job.
Conceptual Metaphor
FARMING IS A LEISURE ACTIVITY (contrasts with FARMING IS A LIVELIHOOD).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of a hobby farmer?