leisure
6 synonyms and 5 antonyms for leisure, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Free time away from work or other obligations, used for rest or enjoyment.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use leisure
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
leisure time
at your leisure
leisure activities
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman leisir, from Old French loisir, "to be permitted", ultimately from Latin licere, "to be allowed" — the same root behind license.
Full origin of leisure →Frequently asked questions
What does “leisure” mean?
The word “leisure” means free time away from work or other obligations, used for rest or enjoyment. In plain terms, leisure is time you are free to spend as you like, not working.
How do you pronounce “leisure”?
“Leisure” is pronounced LEH-zhuh (/ˈlɛʒə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “leisure” in a sentence?
Here is “leisure” used in a sentence: “She spends her leisure time gardening.”
What part of speech is “leisure”?
“Leisure” is a noun.
Where does the word “leisure” come from?
The word “leisure” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman leisir, from Old French loisir, "to be permitted", ultimately from Latin licere, "to be allowed" — the same root behind license.
Is “leisure” a common word?
“Leisure” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between leisure and recreation?
Leisure is the free time itself, away from work or other obligations. Recreation refers to the activities you choose to do during that time, such as sport, hobbies, or games.
What is the difference between leisure and pleasure?
Leisure means free time used for rest or enjoyment. Pleasure means a feeling of enjoyment or satisfaction. The two words are sometimes confused because they rhyme, but they describe different things.
Is leisure a countable or uncountable noun?
Leisure is normally an uncountable noun, so it has no plural form; we say 'time for leisure,' not 'a leisure' or 'leisures.' It often appears in compounds such as leisure time and leisure activities.
