Leeway is the freedom that someone has to take the action they want to or to change their plans.
Rarely do schoolteachers have leeway to teach classes the way they want. [+ to-infinitive]
The President said that he wanted to give states more leeway to pursue their ownhealth-care reforms.
Synonyms: room, play, space, margin More Synonyms of leeway
2. uncountable noun
If you have leeway to make up, you have to work hard because you do not have much time to reach a particular goal.
[mainly British]
He just could not make up the leeway from the earlier stages in which Ryan scoredwell.
leeway in British English
(ˈliːˌweɪ)
noun
1.
room for free movement within limits, as in action or expenditure
2.
sideways drift of a boat or aircraft
leeway in American English
(ˈliˌweɪ)
noun
1.
the leeward drift of a ship or aircraft from the course being steered
2. Informal
a.
margin of time, money, etc.
b.
room for freedom of action
Examples of 'leeway' in a sentence
leeway
This means they have little leeway to maintain payments should profits suddenly nosedive.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
And there is little leeway for women.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You have to give the guys a little bit of leeway.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He hoped that there would be common sense in the policing of the laws and leeway given.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Quite how much leeway he gives his sons only they will know.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
We simply could not afford to allow them this leeway if we were going to beat them.
Admiral Sandy Woodward, With Patrick Robinson ONE HUNDRED DAYS (2003)
It still gives companies too much leeway.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Though he allows leeway for entertaining stories about colleagues.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
There is a little more leeway with earlier toys and anything particularly rare and choice.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Consumers have been given too much leeway with credit relative to their incomes.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
That allows little leeway if extra time is needed to make up for any rain delays.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Some players have gifts that need a little leeway.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Retired chiefs of the defence staff have customarily been allowed more leeway than retired civil servants.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Perhaps a little leeway in terminology should be allowed.
The Times Literary Supplement (2008)
But giving key men just a little leeway seems reasonable.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is my job to give him as much opportunity and leeway to go ahead and express himself.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It gives couples the leeway to be able to look after an elderly relative and to balance family life more effectively.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
This year, the scent of riches meant little leeway would be given.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Additionally, employees with a disability that may cloud their judgment should be given extra leeway.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The retreat of the text gives White too much leeway in the centre.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In fighter squadrons, that allowed considerable leeway.
Patrick Bishop FIGHTER BOYS: Saving Britain 1940 (2003)
On that I feel you have to give such men leeway.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
At least a bit of leeway is given in the UK.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This leaves civil servants charged with administering this system much leeway; an invitation to the sort of corruption that has already plagued the immigration service.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
After the banking crisis of 2008-09, the right course would have been for countries with enough fiscal leeway to boost borrowing and spending.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Up here in the still vastness there is no margin for error, no wiggle room, no leeway between getting it right and dying.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In other languages
leeway
British English: leeway NOUN
Leeway is the freedom that someone has to take the action they want to or to change their plans.
Rarely do schoolteachers have leeway to teach classes the way they want.
American English: leeway
Brazilian Portuguese: liberdade
Chinese: 自由空间
European Spanish: libertad
French: latitude
German: Spielraum
Italian: libertà d'azione
Japanese: 余裕
Korean: 자유 재량
European Portuguese: liberdade
Latin American Spanish: libertad
(noun)
Definition
flexibility of action or expenditure
Schoolteachers rarely have leeway to teach the way they want.
Synonyms
room
There's a lot of room for you to express yourself.
play
There should be just enough play to allow the trunk to expand.
space
The furniture proved impractical because it took up too much space.
margin
There is very little margin for error in the way the money is collected.
scope
He believed in giving his staff scope for initiative.
latitude
She will be given every latitude in forming a new government.
elbowroom
Additional synonyms
in the sense of latitude
Definition
scope for freedom of action and thought
She will be given every latitude in forming a new government.
Synonyms
scope,
liberty,
indulgence,
freedom,
play,
room,
space,
licence,
leeway,
laxity,
elbowroom,
unrestrictedness
in the sense of margin
Definition
an additional amount or one beyond the minimum necessary
There is very little margin for error in the way the money is collected.
Synonyms
room,
space,
surplus,
allowance,
scope,
play,
compass,
latitude,
leeway,
extra room,
elbowroom
in the sense of play
Definition
scope for freedom of movement
There should be just enough play to allow the trunk to expand.
Synonyms
movement,
room,
space,
give (informal),
swing,
sweep,
margin,
slack,
latitude,
leeway,
freedom of movement,
elbowroom,
free motion
Nearby words of
leeway
leer
leery
lees
leeway
left
left-handed
left-wing
Synonyms of 'leeway'
leeway
Explore 'leeway' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of scope
Definition
opportunity for using abilities
He believed in giving his staff scope for initiative.
Synonyms
opportunity,
room,
freedom,
play,
chance,
space,
possibility,
liberty,
latitude,
elbowroom,
leeway
in the sense of space
Definition
unoccupied area or room
The furniture proved impractical because it took up too much space.