leisure

American  

[lee-zher, lezh-er] / ˈli ʒər, ˈlɛʒ ər /

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.

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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.

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.

leisure British  

/ 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

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leisure More Idioms  

1. see at leisure; at one's leisure.

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Other Word Forms

• leisurable adjective
• leisureless adjective

Etymology

Origin of leisure

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

Example Sentences

Rates relief of up to 40% is available for some retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with properties that have a rateable value of up to £100,000.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Now people are spending a growing share of their leisure time watching video on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram produced by amateurs or small production companies using nonunion labor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

The bad news about that is we aren’t going to enter a world of unlimited leisure time anytime soon.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

Part of the problem, though, can be feeling blindsided by the hidden costs of leisure activities.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

Other than nursing the boy, Uncle was a man of leisure.

From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden

Related Words

• convenience
• recreation
• relaxation