leisure

[lee-zher, lezh-er]

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noun

freedom from the demands of work or duty: She looked forward to retirement and a life of leisure.

time free from the demands of work or duty, when one can rest, enjoy hobbies or sports, etc.: Most evenings he had the leisure in which to follow his interests.

unhurried ease: a work written with leisure and grace.

adjective

free or unoccupied: leisure hours.

having leisure: the leisure class.

(of clothing) suitable to or adapted for wear during leisure; casual: a leisure jacket.

designed or intended for recreational use: leisure products like bowling balls and video games.

Idioms

at leisure,

with free or unrestricted time.
without haste; slowly.
out of work; unemployed: Because of the failure of the magazine, many experienced editors are now at leisure.

at one's leisure, when one has free time; at one's convenience: Take this book and read it at your leisure.

Origin of leisure

1250–1300; Middle English leisir < Old French, noun use of infinitive ≪ Latin licēre to be permitted

Related formslei·sur·a·ble, adjectivelei·sure·less, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for at leisure

available, unused, clear, loose, empty, lazily, languidly, sluggishly, unemployed, spare, idle, extra, uninhabited, unobstructed, vacant, unimpeded, unengaged, unhampered, calmly, comfortably

British Dictionary definitions for at leisure

leisure

noun

time or opportunity for ease, relaxation, etc
(as modifier)leisure activities

ease or leisureliness

at leisure

having free time for ease, relaxation, etc
not occupied or engaged
without hurrying

at one's leisure when one has free time

Word Origin for leisure

C14: from Old French leisir; ultimately from Latin licēre to be allowed

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for at leisure

leisure

early 14c., leisir, "opportunity to do something" (as in phrase at (one's) leisure), also "time at one's disposal," from Old French leisir (Modern French loisir) "capacity; permission; leisure, spare time; free will; idleness, inactivity," noun use of infinitive leisir "be permitted," from Latin licere "be permitted" (see licence). The -u- appeared 16c., probably on analogy of words like pleasure. Phrase leisured class attested by 1836.

Idioms and Phrases with at leisure

at leisure

Slowly, without haste, as in the famous 16th-century proverb, Marry in haste and repent at leisure.

Unemployed, having free time, as in I'm not looking for another job right now; I want to be at leisure for at least a few months. This usage has become less common but is still heard. [1300s] Also see at one's leisure.

leisure

see at leisure; at one's leisure.