Leisure

Pronunciation

• UK
• IPA: /ˈlɛʒə(ɹ)/
• Rhymes: -ɛʒə(r)
• US
• IPA: /liːʒəɹ/
• Rhymes: -iːʒə(r)
• rarely IPA: /ˈlɛʒəɹ/)

Origin

Middle English leisir, 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 (""). Displaced native Middle English lethe ("leisure") (from Old English liþian "to unloose, release", compare Old English līþung "permission"), Middle English tom, toom "leisure" (from Old Norse tōm "leisure, ease", compare Old English tōm "free from").

Full definition of leisure

Noun

1. Freedom provided by the cessation of activities.
2. Time free from work or duties.
• Sir W. TempleThe desire of leisure is much more natural than of business and care.
• 1811, Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility, chapter 11Little had Mrs. Dashwood or her daughters imagined when they first came into Devonshire, that so many engagements would arise to occupy their time as shortly presented themselves, or that they should have such frequent invitations and such constant visitors as to leave them little leisure for serious employment.
• 1908, William David Ross (translator), Aristotle, This is why the mathematical arts were founded in Egypt; for there the priestly caste was allowed to be at leisure.
3. Time at one's command, free from engagement; convenient opportunity; hence, convenience; ease.
• DrydenHe sighed, and had no leisure more to say.

Related terms

• leisurely