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 movement believed economic progress should free humans from marketplace dependence—that freedom meant leisure, not endless labor.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

One diarist, Samuel Bamford, gave up a warehouse job to become a weaver and wrote that the change gave him leisure time to enjoy “country amusements with the other young fellows.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The labor market is uneven: Technology, leisure/hospitality and healthcare are doing better than, say, retail and support services.

Read more on MarketWatch

And she said that even with lower multipliers for small retail, leisure and hospitality firms she is still facing a 15% increase in her business rates bill.

Read more on BBC

The council said donation points would be located at its leisure centres, libraries and multi-service centres, including Hornsea Hub, from Friday 28 November.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• convenience 
• recreation 
• relaxation