leisure
/ˈleʒ.ə(r)/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Time when you are not working or doing duties. It is the free time you can use to relax, rest, or enjoy activities.
- I read novels in my leisure.
- She enjoys painting in her leisure time.
- We have little leisure during exam week.
Adinary Nuance
Leisure is close to free time, but it sounds a little more formal and polite. People often use it in writing, business, or academic English. Use free time in everyday conversation when you want to sound more natural.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- thời gian rảnh
- Spanish
- tiempo libre
- Chinese
- 空闲时间
- Japanese
- 余暇
- Korean
- 여가
Etymology
Leisure comes from Old French leisir, meaning 'to be allowed' or 'to have time.' It entered English in the Middle Ages and kept the idea of free time.
Common phrases
leisure timeat leisureleisure activitiesleisure and recreation
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is leisure formal or informal?
- Leisure is slightly formal. It is common in writing and official contexts.
- What is the difference between leisure and free time?
- They mean almost the same thing. Free time is more everyday and natural in speech.
- Can I say 'in my leisure'?
- Yes, but 'in my leisure time' sounds more natural. 'In my spare time' is very common too.