leisurely

1 of 2

adverb

lei·​sure·​ly ˈlē-zhər-lē How to pronounce leisurely (audio)
ˈle-
ˈlā-
Synonyms of leisurelynext
: without haste : deliberately

leisurely

2 of 2

adjective

: characterized by leisure : unhurried
a leisurely pace
leisureliness noun

Synonyms of leisurely

Examples of leisurely in a Sentence

Adverb the old hound dog leisurely sauntered over to his water bowl to take a drink Adjective They strolled along at a leisurely pace. proceeding in a leisurely fashion After a leisurely lunch, we went to see a movie.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adverb
Leo Rising April is a big travel month for you, and the energy surrounding it is purposeful rather than leisurely. Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026 The phony cops bound the two museum guards on duty and then moved leisurely through the museum, battering and slashing some of the world’s most recognizable art from walls and frames. Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Many Parisian restaurants are relatively small, so tables fill up quickly and stay filled because dining is a leisurely event, with tables turning over less frequently. Eve Chen, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026 By the 1950s Madras print in the United States had become a popular style for Ivy League students, gentleman’s business attire, and leisurely vacation wear. Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for leisurely

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1604, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of leisurely was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Leisurely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leisurely. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

leisurely

adjective
lei·​sure·​ly
ˈlēzh-ər-lē
ˈlezh-
ˈlāzh-
: characterized by leisure : unhurried
a leisurely pace
leisureliness noun
leisurely adverb

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