Толковый словарь английского языка

[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: leisir, from leisir 'to be allowed', from Latin licere; ↑license¹]

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

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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.

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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.