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

see also:

at leisure

Synonyms of leisure

• relaxation
• rest
• resting

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

Each morning a new trivia sheet was left in the lovely library for guests to pick up and work through at leisure. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

And, in contrast to the sunrise-to-sunset work schedule on a farm, the set hours of wage labor left leisure time in the evening when young people could enjoy urban recreation. —Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 23 Apr. 2026

People had more leisure time, which increased the demand for the arts and coverage of the arts and arts criticism. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Apr. 2026

However, if regulators can assure public safety, devices such as VueBuds can offer enormous freedom and improvements in quality of life and leisure for countless people with access to them. —New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2026

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
• at leisure
• at one's 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