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 Englishleisir < Old French, noun use of infinitive ≪ Latinlicēre to be permitted
Related formslei·sur·a·ble, adjectivelei·sure·less, adjective
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.
