activity

activity — noun

1. a state of busy motion in a place, with many people moving about or many things

1.nounB2
Definition

a state of busy motion in a place, with many people moving about or many things going on at once.

Example

The Tokyo train station was full of activity during the morning rush.

be full of activity (location filled with motion)

Nikolai could hear plenty of activity in the kitchen as the chefs prepared dinner.

plenty of activity + in [place]

Common collocations
  • a lot of activity
  • plenty of activity
  • little activity
  • unusual activity
  • human activity
  • activity around
Synonyms
  • bustle

    stronger; suggests noisy, lively movement of people

  • movement

    more neutral; focuses on physical motion rather than busyness

  • commotion

    implies disturbance or excitement, often unwanted

Antonyms

Usage Note

Uncountable in this sense and often paired with quantifiers like 'a lot of', 'plenty of', 'little', or 'no'. Distinguish from sense 3 (countable, an organised event); here it is the general bustle of a scene, not a single thing you do.

Common Mistakes

There were many activities at the airport.' (when meaning busy motion)
There was a lot of activity at the airport.
for the bustle of a place, use uncountable 'activity' with 'a lot of', not countable 'activities'.

2. the things a group, company, or government does together to reach a goal — for e

2.nounB2
Definition

the things a group, company, or government does together to reach a goal — for example, a charity's fundraising work, or a political party's campaign.

Example

The charity's activities focus on helping homeless families find safe housing.

[organisation]'s activities focus on

The company expanded its business activity into three new countries last year.

business activity (uncountable)

Common collocations
  • business activity
  • criminal activity
  • political activity
  • economic activity
  • terrorist activity
  • limit activities
Synonyms
  • operation

    more formal; often used for large-scale or business work

  • work

    more general; can apply to individuals or groups

  • undertaking

    formal; suggests a specific large project

Antonyms

Usage Note

Often modified by an adjective naming the field: 'business activity', 'criminal activity', 'political activity', 'terrorist activity'. Subject is typically an organisation, company, or government rather than an individual.

Common Mistakes

My activity is teaching English.' (when describing a job role)
My job is teaching English.
sense 2 describes the work of groups or organisations, not one person's profession.

3. a planned thing you do for fun, exercise, or learning — such as a hike, a craft

3.nounA2
Definition

a planned thing you do for fun, exercise, or learning — such as a hike, a craft session, or a sports class.

Example

Swimming and painting are Lily's favourite activities at summer camp.

favourite activities + at [event]

The hotel offers free outdoor activities like kayaking and rock climbing every morning.

outdoor activities like [examples]

Common collocations
  • after-school activities
  • outdoor activities
  • leisure activities
  • favourite activity
  • extracurricular activities
  • physical activity
Synonyms
  • pastime

    regular hobby done in free time

  • hobby

    personal interest pursued for pleasure, often solo

  • pursuit

    more formal; longer-term interest

Usage Note

Usually countable and commonly plural. Frequently preceded by a setting word: 'after-school activities', 'outdoor activities', 'extracurricular activities', 'leisure activities'. Distinguish from sense 1: here each activity is one thing you can list and choose to do.

Common Mistakes

I did much activity yesterday.
I did several activities yesterday.
when listing things you did for fun, use countable plural 'activities', not uncountable 'much activity'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/3

All four words name something a person does in their free time, but the focus differs. 'Activity' is the most general and most often used in plural contexts like school or holiday programmes — 'outdoor activities', 'after-school activities' — where someone has organised a list of things to choose from. 'Hobby' is personal and long-term: it is something you return to regularly out of personal interest, like collecting stamps or playing the guitar. 'Pastime' sits between the two — a regular leisure habit, often shared by many people, such as fishing or watching baseball. 'Pursuit' is the most formal and suggests serious, longer-term involvement, often intellectual or artistic. Compare: 'Painting is my hobby' (personal habit), 'Painting is a popular pastime here' (common leisure choice), 'Painting is a creative pursuit' (formal, serious tone), 'The art class offers many activities' (organised options).

activity ↗hobby ↗pastime ↗pursuit ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • level of activity
  • burst of activity
  • centre of activity
  • type of activity

Adverbs

  • physically active
  • highly active
  • increasingly active

Phrases

  • a flurry of activity
  • a hive of activity
  • engage in activity
  • take part in an activity

Prepositions

  • activity in
  • activity around
  • activity at
  • activity on

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

From the Latin 'activitas', meaning the state of being active, formed from 'activus' ('busy, doing things') and the noun ending '-itas'. The word entered English in the late 1400s through Old French, first describing the quality of being lively or in motion. Over the centuries it broadened to cover the work of groups and, more recently, planned events done for fun or learning.