lei ‧ sure W3 /ˈleʒə $ ˈliːʒər/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: leisir , from leisir 'to be allowed' , from Latin licere ; ↑ license 1 ]
1 . time when you are not working or studying and can relax and do things you enjoy:
Most people now enjoy shorter working hours and more leisure time.
Watching television is now the nation’s most popular leisure activity.
The hotel offers various leisure facilities such as a swimming pool and sauna.
The leisure industry (=the business of providing leisure activities) is now an important part of the economy.
2 . at (your) leisure if you do something at your leisure, you do it slowly and without hurrying:
Come round for lunch and then we can discuss it at leisure.
Take the leaflets home and read them at your leisure.
3 . gentleman/lady of leisure someone who does not have to work – used humorously
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ leisure + NOUN
▪ leisure time
They spend much of their leisure time with their grandchildren.
▪ a leisure activity/interest
Many people have little time after work for leisure activities.
▪ leisure pursuits formal (=leisure activities)
Ask about his hobbies and leisure pursuits.
▪ a leisure centre/complex (=a place where you can play sports etc)
The local leisure centre has a swimming pool and a sauna.
▪ leisure facilities (=different places where you can play sports etc)
The leisure facilities in the town are very good.
▪ the leisure industry/sector
The leisure sector has experienced phenomenal growth in recent years.
▪ a leisure group (=a group of companies in the leisure industry)
The leisure group reported record profits last year.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ fun noun [uncountable] especially spoken an experience or activity that is very enjoyable and exciting:
The course was fun.
|
Have you ever been windsurfing? It’s really good fun.
|
I just want to relax and have some fun.
|
It’ll be fun seeing all my old friends again.
|
Running around a freezing hockey field isn’t my idea of fun.
▪ enjoyment noun [uncountable] the feeling you get when you enjoy doing something:
I get a lot of enjoyment out of working with young children.
▪ pleasure noun [countable] an experience or activity that makes you feel happy and satisfied:
The game was a pleasure to watch.
|
One of her greatest pleasures was walking in the mountains.
|
Ted enjoyed the simple pleasures of life: his family, his home, and his garden.
▪ good/great time noun [countable] especially spoken a time when you enjoyed yourself:
The kids all had a great time.
|
I remember the good times in Japan.
|
Were the 1960s really such great times?
▪ a blast informal a very enjoyable experience – a very informal use:
The trip was a blast!
▪ entertainment noun [uncountable] things such as performances and films which are intended to be enjoyable:
Three musicians provided the entertainment.
|
What do you do for entertainment around here?
|
They hired two dancers for entertainment.
▪ relaxation noun [uncountable] a way of resting and enjoying yourself:
I play the piano for relaxation.
|
Her work left little time for relaxation.
▪ leisure noun [uncountable] the time when you are not working, when you can enjoy yourself – used especially in compounds:
leisure activities
|
the leisure industry
|
People have more leisure time.
▪ recreation noun [uncountable and countable] formal activities that you do to enjoy yourself:
recreation facilities
|
The park is not just a place for recreation.