Word
leisurely
Phoneticsleisure·ly
US/ˈɫizɝɫi/
UK/lˈɛʒəli/
Adverb of manner
Definitions
01relaxed and unhurried
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. relaxed and slow, usually because you have plenty of time.
adj. characterized by leisure; taking plenty of time without rushing.
“We took a leisurely walk through the park after our lunch.”
“The retired couple enjoyed a leisurely breakfast on the terrace, watching the morning fog lift from the valley below.”
02in a slow way
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adv. doing something in a slow, relaxed way without rushing.
adv. in a leisurely manner; acting without haste.
“They strolled leisurely along the beach as the sun began to set.”
“The tourists wandered leisurely through the museum, stopping to examine every artifact in the ancient history wing.”
Usage
This word functions as both an adjective and an adverb without changing its form.
Pitfall
He walked leisurelily down the street.
He walked leisurely down the street.
Although it ends in -ly, 'leisurely' is already an adverb. Do not add another -ly ending.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Her narration is leisurely, gravelly, drily funny and unmistakeably Atwood.” “Given the size of the system, they say the star could continue leisurely snacking on the brown dwarf for billions of years.” “Or come for a leisurely lunch, wine-tasting or cookery course.” Etymology
From leisure + -ly.
From earlier leisurelily, by haplology, equivalent to leisurely + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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