leisure
noun
lei·sure ˈlē-zhər 
ˈle-,
ˈlā- 1
: freedom provided by the cessation of activities
especially : time free from work or duties
increase of leisure, diminution of hustle are the ends to be sought 
Bertrand Russell
Bertrand Russell 2
: ease, leisureliness
leisure adjective
Synonyms
- decompression
- ease
- relaxation
- repose
- rest
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
I don't have much time for leisure. upon retiring, the elderly couple looked forward to a life of well-deserved leisure
Recent Examples on the Web For example, the leisure and hospitality industry added 96,000 jobs in July, but employment in that industry remains below its February 2020 level by 1.2 million. John M. Bremen, Forbes, 11 Aug. 2022 Despite signs of an economic slowdown, leisure and hospitality businesses continue to hire workers to recoup staffing levels. Allison Pohle, WSJ, 11 Aug. 2022 July’s job gains were widespread, the Labor Department said, led by leisure and hospitality and professional and business services. Larry Edelman, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Aug. 2022 Wage increases for leisure and hospitality workers and for retail employees had been 2% and 1.2%, respectively, over the two years ending December 2021. Tami Luhby, CNN, 5 Aug. 2022 In the leisure and hospitality business, which includes restaurants and hotels, average hours worked peaked in April 2021 and has fallen more or less steadily since then. Paul Wiseman, ajc, 2 Sep. 2022 The leisure-rider spurs the Lycra-racer, who endangers pedestrians and inspires drivers to hate cyclists. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 31 Aug. 2022 Around them, the recreation of boho Camden, with its infinite leisure and pleasure options, benefits from the U.K. industry’s growing facility for framing London as both ramshackle and romantic, lordly and lived-in. Mike Mccahill, Variety, 30 Aug. 2022 For nearly 20 years after the end of World War II, leisure trips abroad were banned in Japan, with occasional exceptions for study abroad programs or business trips. Kathleen Benoza, CNN, 30 Aug. 2022 See More
John M. Bremen, Forbes, 11 Aug. 2022 Despite signs of an economic slowdown, leisure and hospitality businesses continue to hire workers to recoup staffing levels. Allison Pohle, WSJ, 11 Aug. 2022 July’s job gains were widespread, the Labor Department said, led by leisure and hospitality and professional and business services. Larry Edelman, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Aug. 2022 Wage increases for leisure and hospitality workers and for retail employees had been 2% and 1.2%, respectively, over the two years ending December 2021. Tami Luhby, CNN, 5 Aug. 2022 In the leisure and hospitality business, which includes restaurants and hotels, average hours worked peaked in April 2021 and has fallen more or less steadily since then. Paul Wiseman, ajc, 2 Sep. 2022 The leisure-rider spurs the Lycra-racer, who endangers pedestrians and inspires drivers to hate cyclists. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 31 Aug. 2022 Around them, the recreation of boho Camden, with its infinite leisure and pleasure options, benefits from the U.K. industry’s growing facility for framing London as both ramshackle and romantic, lordly and lived-in. Mike Mccahill, Variety, 30 Aug. 2022 For nearly 20 years after the end of World War II, leisure trips abroad were banned in Japan, with occasional exceptions for study abroad programs or business trips. Kathleen Benoza, CNN, 30 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English leiser, from Anglo-French leisir, from leisir to be permitted, from Latin licēre — see license entry 1
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing leisure
Kids Definition
leisure
noun
lei·sure ˈlē-zhər
: free time
leisure
noun
as in relaxation
freedom from activity or labor upon retiring, the elderly couple looked forward to a life of well-deserved leisure Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- relaxation
- rest
- resting
- restfulness
- ease
- sleep
- silence
- decompression
- napping
- slumber
- repose
- quiet
- slumbering
- lazing
- dozing
- snoozing
- respite
- tranquility
- serenity
- tranquillity
- idleness
- peace
- peacefulness
- catnapping
- calm
- tranquilness
- stillness
- placidity
- sereneness
- dolce far niente
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- work
- labor
- toil
- exertion
- stress
- pressure
- strain
- tension
- tenseness