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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb
Varied scenes include a video of smokestacks in the unmistakable soft light of a Beijing winter, the artist puffing cigarettes as a Lazy Susan spins leisurely with dishes and a bottle of Nongfu Spring, a local mineral water brand; and a robot getting out of an elevator. Stephy Chung, CNN Money, 22 Jan. 2026 Titilaka is a decadent retreat on the shores of ocean-like Lake Titicaca—where days are spent leisurely navigating the sacred body of water, and evenings play host to sundowners and quiet nights by the fire. Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Margot Robbie layered hers up for a leisurely walk in London, using classic staples such as a polo sweater, loose relaxed denim, and Converse high-top sneakers, completing her weekend travel edit. Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2026 Challenge yourself to see the views at MacRae Peak at Grandfather Mountain, traverse the Appalachian Trail, or take a leisurely hike along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 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 25 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

leisurely

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

More from Merriam-Webster on leisurely

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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