leisure
- 1Time that is free from work or other obligations and available for one's own use.
Retirement gave them ample leisure to travel and revisit old hobbies.
Modern appliances have left many workers with more leisure than earlier generations enjoyed.
Similardowntime, recreation, relaxation, rest
- 2The sense of freedom that results when one's activities or duties have come to an end.
The close of the planting season brought the farmers a leisure they rarely knew.
Once the long trial ended, the lawyer sank into an unfamiliar leisure.
Similarease, respite, relaxation, freedom, repose
- 3Time wholly at one's own disposal, free from engagement; a convenient opportunity to act, and hence the unhurried ease that comes with it.
Visitors may wander the gardens at their leisure throughout the afternoon.
He promised to answer the lengthy letter at his leisure, once the guests had gone.
Similarconvenience, ease
Practice
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Origin
From Middle English leyser, borrowed from Anglo-Norman leisir, a variant of Old French loisir ("to enjoy oneself"), which was the noun use of a verb going back to Latin licēre ("be permitted"). It displaced the native Old English word ǣmetta.