leisure
B1Neutral to formal. Common in everyday, business, and academic contexts.
Definition
Meaning
Free time when one is not working or occupied; time available for relaxation, hobbies, or enjoyment.
The state or condition of having such free time; the quality of ease or relaxation associated with such time. Can also refer to activities done during this time.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a non-count noun. The concept is often contrasted with 'work' or 'obligation'. Implies a degree of freedom of choice in how time is spent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Pronunciation is the primary difference (see IPA). Spelling is identical. The phrase 'leisure centre' (UK) vs. 'recreation center' or 'community center' (US).
Connotations
Largely identical. In both varieties, it can carry positive connotations of relaxation, but also potential negative connotations of idleness or privilege in certain contexts (e.g., 'the leisure class').
Frequency
Similar frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N of N (leisure of retirement)Adj + N (spare leisure)Prep + N (at (one's) leisure)N + to-inf (leisure to read)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “At (your) leisure (when you have time, without hurry)”
- “A lady/man of leisure (someone who does not have to work)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to the industry sector (tourism, hospitality, sports). E.g., 'The leisure sector saw significant growth.'
Academic
Used in sociology, economics, and history to discuss concepts of work-life balance, class, and social structures. E.g., 'The study examined leisure patterns in urban populations.'
Everyday
Commonly used to discuss hobbies, holidays, and weekend plans. E.g., 'What do you do in your leisure time?'
Technical
In urban planning, refers to facilities and spaces designated for recreational use.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Rare as a verb; 'leisuring' is non-standard)
American English
- (Rare as a verb; 'leisuring' is non-standard)
adverb
British English
- (The adverb is 'leisurely'. They walked leisurely through the park.)
American English
- (The adverb is 'leisurely'. He drove leisurely down the coast.)
adjective
British English
- (The adjective is 'leisurely'. Noun used attributively: leisure complex, leisure wear.)
American English
- (The adjective is 'leisurely'. Noun used attributively: leisure activities, leisure suit.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I watch TV in my leisure time.
- The park is for leisure.
- She has little leisure because of her job.
- Reading is my favourite leisure activity.
- The council plans to build a new leisure centre with a pool and gym.
- He approached the task in a leisurely manner, with no sense of urgency.
- Sociologists study how leisure patterns reflect social inequality.
- The treatise argued that a society's use of leisure is a marker of its civilization.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'LEI sure' – you are SURE to enjoy a LEI (a Hawaiian garland/wreath) when you have free time on holiday.
Conceptual Metaphor
LEISURE IS A CONTAINER (filled with activities), LEISURE IS A COMMODITY (to spend, to have), LEISURE IS FREEDOM (from constraints).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation with 'досуг' in all contexts; 'досуг' can sound formal. 'Free/spare time' is often more natural for everyday speech.
- The adjective 'leisurely' (неторопливый) is a false friend with 'ленивый' (lazy).
Common Mistakes
- Using as a countable noun (*'I have many leisures').
- Confusing 'at leisure' (unhurried) with 'in leisure' (incorrect).
- Mispronunciation by using the American /iː/ sound in British contexts or vice versa.
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase means 'to do something slowly and without hurry'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is almost always uncountable. You do not say 'a leisure' or 'leisures'.
'Leisure' often implies a quality of enjoyment or relaxation associated with the time, and can be slightly more formal. 'Free time' is more neutral and common in everyday speech.
In British English, it rhymes with 'pleasure' (/ˈlɛʒ.ə/). In American English, the first syllable sounds like 'lee' (/ˈliː.ʒɚ/).
Not directly. The word 'leisurely' is the adjective and adverb. However, 'leisure' is often used in compound nouns like 'leisure centre' or 'leisure activities' (this is called 'attributive use').
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