leisure

noun

lei·sure ˈlē-zhər ˈle-

ˈlā-

Synonyms of leisure

: 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

: ease, leisureliness

leisure adjective

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

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.

Over the same period, 15-to 19-year-olds' leisure time socializing dropped 32% to 38 minutes, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. — Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026 Members of the reading class have been worried about the decline of other people reading in their leisure time since at least the advent of television. — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 22 Oct. 2026 This theme is especially fun to discover, so have at the remaining clues, at 42A and 56A, at your leisure. — New York Times, 21 Oct. 2026 D’haene said the company also wants to identify practical applications beyond leisure flying. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for leisure

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of leisure was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Leisure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leisure. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

leisure

noun

lei·sure ˈlēzh-ər ˈlezh-

ˈlāzh-

: freedom from work or duties

: ease entry 1 sense 1

: time at one's command : convenience

has the leisure to pursue a hobby

leisure adjective

leisure

noun

Synonyms of leisure

Examples of leisure in a Sentence

Word History

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leisure

noun

Synonyms of leisure

Examples of leisure in a Sentence

Word History

Phrases Containing leisure

Rhymes for leisure

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on leisure

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