leisure
LEH-zhuh
Leisure (noun) means Free time away from work or other obligations, used for rest or enjoyment. Example: “After a busy week, he looked forward to a weekend of leisure.”
noun
1
Free time away from work or other obligations, used for rest or enjoyment.
"After a busy week, he looked forward to a weekend of leisure."
"This is why the mathematical arts were founded in Egypt; for there the priestly caste was allowed to be at leisure."
— Aristotle, translated by William David Ross (1908)
"She spends her leisure time gardening."
"Retirement gave him plenty of leisure to travel."
How to use leisure
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLeisure is time you are free to spend as you like, not working.
Memory tip
"At your leisure" means "whenever is convenient for you" — there's no rush.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
leisure time
at your leisure
leisure activities
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Word forms
- Plural
- leisures
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
After a busy week, he looked forward to a weekend of _____.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman leisir, from Old French loisir, "to be permitted", ultimately from Latin licere, "to be allowed" — the same root behind license.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for leisure
See all rhymes for 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.
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