leisurely

1 of 2

adverb

lei·​sure·​ly ˈlē-zhər-lē How to pronounce leisurely (audio)
ˈle-, 
ˈlā-
Synonyms of leisurely
: without haste : deliberately

leisurely

2 of 2

adjective

: characterized by leisure : unhurried
a leisurely pace
leisureliness noun

Synonyms of leisurely

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Adverb

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of leisurely in a Sentence

Adverb the old hound dog leisurely sauntered over to his water bowl to take a drink Adjective They strolled along at a leisurely pace. proceeding in a leisurely fashion After a leisurely lunch, we went to see a movie.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb
For something more leisurely, look west after sunset on July 17 to see the exact opposite sight — a 15%-illuminated waxing crescent moon close to Venus. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 July 2026 An activity that may seem leisurely, such as swimming in a river, could end up more dangerous if someone encounters an unexpected rip current. — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 22 June 2026
Adjective
Nirmal Kumar, 44, a businessman, said what began as a leisurely trip descended into chaos within minutes as a storm lashed the boat. — ABC News, 13 July 2026 With over 29,000 five-star ratings from nurses, teachers, and podiatrists alike, the Aerothotic Comfy Flip-flops deserve a spot in your suitcase this summer, no matter if your itinerary calls for leisurely walks by the pool or intensive hikes. — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for leisurely

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1604, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of leisurely was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

leisureliness
leisurely
leisureness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Leisurely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leisurely. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

leisurely

adjective
lei·​sure·​ly
ˈlēzh-ər-lē, 
ˈlezh-, 
ˈlāzh-
: characterized by leisure : unhurried
a leisurely pace
leisureliness noun
leisurely adverb

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