recreational
Americanadjective
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of or relating to recreation.
recreational facilities in the park.
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(of a drug or medication) used for recreation and enjoyment rather than to treat a medical condition.
recreational drugs such as marijuana and alcohol.
adjective
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of, relating to, or used for recreation
recreational facilities
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(of a drug) taken for pleasure rather than for medical reasons or because of an addiction
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of recreational
First recorded in 1650–60; recreation ( def. ) + -al 1 ( def. )
Explanation
Something is recreational if you do it just for fun. If you're not a professional golfer but love the game, it's recreational. Anything you do because you enjoy it — rather than because you are obligated to do it — is recreational. Hiking, reading, and visiting museums can all be described this way. Recreational means "something done for recreation," and recreation, which was originally "the curing of a sick person," combines the Latin re, "again" and creare, "to create." Today we think of recreational activities as curing our boredom.
Vocabulary lists containing recreational
Least Presidential Vocabulary Used by Presidential Candidates during the GOP Debate (Sept. 16, 2015)
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Courage to Soar
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Out of My Mind
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Orlando also ranked high in terms of recreational activities for retirees, coming in second for recreation overall with a high number of music venues, fishing facilities, art galleries and adult volunteer activities.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 31, 2026
Like the authorities, recreational boaters on the lake prefer to point the finger elsewhere.
From Barron's ● Aug. 27, 2026
It’s believed she parked her Hyundai — which was found abandoned by authorities three days later — near Doane Pond, about two miles into the recreational area, after purchasing a parking pass.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
The blue shark is a long-distance migrant that is present in Irish waters usually from June to October, when it is taken by recreational anglers on a catch-and-release basis, according to Inland Fisheries Ireland, external.
From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026
“I assume it was for recreational purposes,” I say.
From "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
