leisure

noun

lei·​sure ˈlē-zhər  ˈle- 

ˈlā-

1

: freedom provided by the cessation of activities

especially : time free from work or duties

increase of leisure, diminution of hustle are the ends to be sought

—Bertrand Russell

2

: ease, leisureliness

leisure adjective

Phrases

at leisure or at one's leisure

: in one's leisure time : at one's convenience

read the book at her leisure

Synonyms

• decompression
• ease
• relaxation
• repose
• rest

Examples of leisure in a Sentence

I don't have much time for leisure.

upon retiring, the elderly couple looked forward to a life of well-deserved leisure

Recent Examples on the Web

Viewers got a glimpse of the leisure happenings of a professor amid her bout with balancing academia, reality television and simply her authentic life. —Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025

Luxury travelers will take 8 leisure trips on average in 2025, a report says. —Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA Today, 16 May 2025

However, several primitive campsites, boat ramps, and fishing piers sprinkled across the area give plenty of access to enjoy the lake at your leisure. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 16 May 2025

With a score that includes staccato human voices crying out, Ben moves through the sterile indoor world of a leisure center, often resembling a lonely gunslingers thanks to the Widescreen aspect ratio. —Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 16 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English leiser, from Anglo-French leisir, from leisir to be permitted, from Latin licēre — see license entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing leisure

• a lady/man/gentleman of leisure
• a life of leisure
• leisure class
• leisure suit

Rhymes for leisure

• measure
• pleasure
• treasure
• countermeasure
• displeasure

Kids Definition

leisure

noun

lei·​sure ˈlēzh-ər  ˈlezh- 

ˈlāzh-

1

: freedom from work or duties

2

: ease entry 1 sense 1

3

: time at one's command : convenience

has the leisure to pursue a hobby

leisure adjective