# leeway

/ˈɫiˌweɪ/ (US) · /lˈiːweɪ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/leeway
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

the amount of freedom or flexibility you have to make your own choices. It is the space between what you must do and what you can do.

For teachers: the amount of freedom or flexibility allowed in a situation; the margin between a requirement and the actual performance.

## Examples

- I need more leeway to finish the project on time.
- The manager gave the team some leeway to choose their own travel dates as long as they met the deadline.
- While the contract provides a strict framework for daily operations, it leaves significant leeway for the creative director to experiment with new marketing strategies.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.