ENGLISH
REFERENCE

leisure

n. uncountable
B1 Intermediate Oxford US //ˈɫɛʒɝ// UK //lˈɛʒɐ// leisure General-service

n. the time when you are not working or doing chores. You use this time to relax, enjoy your hobbies, or do things you like.

n. time available for ease and relaxation after work or other duties are completed. Often used as a modifier before other nouns to describe activities or facilities.


SIMPLE

I enjoy reading and swimming in my leisure time.

CONTEXTUAL

The new community center offers a variety of leisure activities, including yoga and pottery classes.

COMPLEX

The shift toward a shorter work week has sparked a national debate about whether people will use their increased leisure for personal growth or passive consumption.

Origin

From Middle English leyser, from Anglo-Norman leisir, variant of Old French loisir (“to enjoy oneself”) (Modern French loisir survives as a noun), substantive use of a verb, from Latin licēre (“be permitted”). Displaced native Old English ǣmetta.

Usage

Commonly functions as an attributive noun in phrases like 'leisure time', 'leisure activities', or 'leisure center'.

Pitfall

I have many leisuresI have a lot of leisure timeLeisure is uncountable; to refer to specific instances, use 'leisure activities' or 'leisure time'.

© 2026 English Reference