Definition

1. Noun:
   • Freedom to choose a pastime or enjoyable activity: The state of having time and the freedom to do what you enjoy, rather than working or having duties.
   • Time available for ease and relaxation: The time when you are not working or occupied with duties; free time.

Usage

• General Use: "Leisure" refers to time free from work or duties, which can be used for relaxation, hobbies, or enjoyment.
• Common Contexts: It is often used when discussing personal time, hobbies, vacations, and the balance between work and life.

Examples

• Noun:
  • He spends his leisure reading and gardening. (He uses his free time for reading and gardening.)
  • The increase in automation should provide more leisure for workers. (More free time should become available to workers.)
  • She has little leisure because of her demanding job. (She has very little free time.)

Advanced Usage

• "At leisure":

  • Meaning: Not busy; having free time to do something. Can also mean in a relaxed, unhurried manner.
  • Example: I am at leisure this afternoon if you'd like to visit. (I am free/available this afternoon.)
  • Example: We strolled through the park at leisure. (We walked in a relaxed, unhurried way.)

• "At one's leisure":

  • Meaning: When one has the free time to do something; at a convenient time.
  • Example: Please return the book at your leisure. (Please return it whenever you have time.)

Variants and Related Words

• Leisurely (adj/adv): Acting or done in an unhurried, relaxed manner.

  • We took a leisurely walk along the beach. (We walked in a relaxed way.)

• Leisureliness (n): The quality of being relaxed and unhurried.

Synonyms

• Free time: Time when you are not working.
• Spare time: Time available for hobbies or relaxation.
• Recreation: Activity done for enjoyment when one is not working.
• Downtime: Time when one is not working or busy.

Antonyms

• Work: Activity involving mental or physical effort done to achieve a result.
• Labor: Work, especially hard physical work.
• Obligation: Something one is required to do.

Related Phrases

• Leisure activity: An activity done for enjoyment in one's free time.

  • Gardening is her favorite leisure activity.

• Leisure industry: The sector of the economy focused on providing products and services for free time and tourism.

  • The leisure industry includes hotels, sports centers, and cinemas.

Noun

1. freedom to choose a pastime or enjoyable activity
   • he lacked the leisure for golf
2. time available for ease and relaxation
   • his job left him little leisure