recreational

adjective

rec·​re·​a·​tion·​al ˌre-krē-ˈā-sh(ə-)nəl 

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of recreation

a recreational area

recreational activities

2

: of or relating to recreational drugs or their use

a recreational drug user

Colorado's burgeoning marijuana industry had struggled under its own astonishing success since legal recreational sales began Jan. 1.

—David Migoya

recreationally adverb

Examples of recreational in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Hope Florida then diverted the money to political committees that spent most of it supporting the governor’s campaign against the recreational marijuana initiative that narrowly failed in 2024. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026

The sheriff's office noted in their release that the helicopter may have struck a recreational slackline, leading to the tragedy. —Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026

The half-mile-long slackline was strung across Telegraph Canyon, a recreational area located near Superior, Arizona, about 60 miles east of Phoenix in the Sonoran Desert. —Outside, 5 Jan. 2026

The van, which was modified to add three more seats, is also used for recreational activities like guest dinners with locals and play time, said Abuobaid. —Laura Turbay, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

recreation + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing recreational

• recreational drug
• recreational vehicle

Rhymes for recreational

• aspirational
• avocational
• calculational
• combinational
• computational
• conformational
• confrontational
• congregational
• conversational
• correlational
• deformational
• derivational