leisure

[lee-zher, lezh-er]

noun

1. freedom from the demands of work or duty.

   She looked forward to retirement and a life of leisure.

2. 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.

3. unhurried ease.

   a work written with leisure and grace.

adjective

1. free or unoccupied.

   leisure hours.

2. having leisure.

   the leisure class.

3. (of clothing) suitable to or adapted for wear during leisure; casual.

   a leisure jacket.

4. designed or intended for recreational use.

   leisure products like bowling balls and video games.

leisure

/ ˈliːʒər, ˈlɛʒə /

noun

1. 1. time or opportunity for ease, relaxation, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      leisure activities

2. ease or leisureliness

3. 1. having free time for ease, relaxation, etc

   2. not occupied or engaged

   3. without hurrying

4. when one has free time

Other Word Forms

• leisurable adjective
• leisureless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of leisure¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English leisir, from Old French, noun use of infinitive, ultimately from Latin licēre “to be allowed”

Word History and Origins

Origin of leisure¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. at one's leisure, when one has free time; at one's convenience.

   Take this book and read it at your leisure.

2. at leisure,

   1. with free or unrestricted time.

   2. without haste; slowly.

   3. out of work; unemployed.

      Because of the failure of the magazine, many experienced editors are now at leisure.

see at leisure; at one's leisure.

Example Sentences

The empty playground may be a leading indicator of where travel and leisure, and many other industries, are heading.

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The empty playground may be a leading indicator of where travel and leisure, and many other industries, are heading.

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Or bring them a pre-cooked meal or two they can enjoy at their leisure, later.

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They examined how leisure screen use related to cardiometabolic risk factors.

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If you don’t have enough money for the kind of travel and leisure activities you would like to pursue in retirement, work for as long as you can, even part time.

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Related Words

• convenience 
• recreation 
• relaxation