leisure

American  

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

noun

• leisures
  plural

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

Derived Forms

• leisurable
  adjective
• leisureless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• leisures
  plural

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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”

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Explanation

Leisure is time off, spare time, sweet sweet freedom from the demands of work. It's like playtime for grown-ups. Leisure is time away from commitments like work or school. Leisure activities might include windsailing, golfing, crocheting a portrait of Betsy Ross, staring at one's navel, whatever. It's the freedom to do what the heck you want. It's not time for punching the clock or writing a paper on the role of matchsticks in the Industrial Revolution; it's kick-your-shoes-off time. If you read a book at your leisure, there's no rush. Leisure is more rare for some than others. "The billionaire was a woman of leisure," but leisure time is a luxury for most.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

leisure leisures

He added the government should consider "immediate financial support" to help the leisure industry through the next 12 months and ongoing investment into leisure centre stock.

From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026

In recent years the airline has scaled back its route network, jettisoning money-losing flights to focus on its core business serving East Coast leisure destinations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026

At the time, he wrote in the station’s community newsletter that he was looking forward to a “new life of leisure and with family and friends.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026

Previous research has shown that spending leisure time together can benefit couples.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 6, 2026

I had no need to finish my papers early because I had nowhere to go; I could pack at my leisure, after the dorms were empty.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

“In those days, there weren’t video games or these other leisures kids have nowadays,” Gerard said.

From Washington Times ● Jul. 1, 2016

To meet the change, Davis sold 100 theaters, wisely followed his customers into new leisures.

From Time Magazine Archive

The story, a little drama, was, with the tale concerning Nebuchadnezzar, that of Daniel, and other novels quite as strange, evolved long later in the wide leisures of Jerusalem.

From The Lords of the Ghostland A History of the Ideal by Edgar Saltus

He read and rehearsed his reading in memory, but he did not give himself to “deep, abstract meditation” and did not surrender himself to “the fruitful leisures of the spirit.”

From Historical Essays by James Ford Rhodes

Wolfe's dreary garrison leisures in Scotland, however, were not idle.

From Lectures and Essays by Goldwin Smith

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Related Words

• convenience
• recreation
• relaxation

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