What does leisure mean?
Leisure is the free time that remains after work, study, and other responsibilities have been completed. It is commonly used for the opportunity to rest, travel, socialise, pursue hobbies, or do simply nothing. The word can also describe an unhurried quality, as in 'leisurely activity', or a category of activity, as in a hotel's leisure and sports facilities. In modern usage, leisure often carries a mildly positive or aspirational connotation, suggesting freedom from obligation and the possibility of enjoyment. Although 'a leisure' once had a fairly common meaning of a period of free time, the standard contemporary form is uncountable: people speak of 'having leisure' or 'spending one's leisure' rather than usually using a singular count noun. The related adjective 'leisurely' describes something relaxed and unhurried, while 'at leisure' is a useful phrase meaning available or not occupied.
nounFree time when a person is not occupied with work or other duties. It can also refer to relaxed, unhurried activity or a period of available time.
- Free time available for recreation, relaxation, or personal activities.
- Relaxed, unhurried activity or quality.
"She spends her leisure reading and walking in the park."
"He has little leisure after working a full day."
"The hotel offers a wide range of leisure and sports facilities."
Rare in modern standard English; 'leisure' is normally used as an uncountable noun.
"The novel depicts the leisures of the wealthy in the eighteenth century."
Leisure originally meant permission: the word's history is the history of time granted to do as one wished.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How leisure is actually used
Leisure is normally an uncountable noun. The plural 'leisures' exists but is uncommon and is used mainly in literary or specialised contexts. As an adjective, it usually forms compounds such as 'leisure time', 'leisure activities', and 'leisure wear'.
Easily confused with leisure
Leisure means free time or unhurried activity, whereas pleasure refers to enjoyment or a source of satisfaction.