pastime (english) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

Noun

Phonetic Transcription

/pæstaɪm/

Meaning

The word "pastime" refers to an activity that someone does for enjoyment during their free time. It is commonly used to denote hobbies or recreational activities that provide pleasure and entertainment. In English usage, "pastime" is frequently used in both oral and written contexts, although it may lean slightly towards written texts due to its more formal tone.

Example Sentences

• Reading novels is my favorite pastime.
  Ler novelas é meu passatempo favorito.

• Gardening has become a popular pastime among city dwellers.
  Jardinagem se tornou um passatempo popular entre os habitantes das cidades.

• Playing chess is a strategic pastime that requires concentration.
  Jogar xadrez é um passatempo estratégico que requer concentração.

Idiomatic Expressions

While "pastime" itself may not be central to many idiomatic expressions, it is often used in conjunction with other terms that describe leisure activities. Below are some contextual examples of expressed ideas that may involve the concept of "pastime":

• A favorite pastime

• Swimming is her favorite pastime.
  Nadar é o passatempo favorito dela.

• Idle pastime

• Watching TV all day can be an idle pastime.
  Assistir TV o dia todo pode ser um passatempo ocioso.

• Popular pastime

• Soccer is a popular pastime in many countries.
  O futebol é um passatempo popular em muitos países.

Etymology

The word "pastime" originates from the combination of "past" meaning time that has gone by and "time" itself. It can be traced back to the late 16th century, deriving from the phrase “to pass the time,” where it reflected the act of engaging in enjoyable activities to make time more pleasant.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms: hobby, leisure activity, recreation, amusement, diversion
Antonyms: work, occupation, chore, duty, drudgery