2 syllables: Lei, sure. Stress on Lei.
LEZH-ur
/ˈlɛʒɚ/
Leisure is pronounced LEZH-ur (/ˈlɛʒɚ/). It has two syllables (Lei-sure), with the stress on "Lei". Leisure is a noun meaning free time when one is not working or obligations. It also refers to activities done in those times for enjoyment or relaxation. The term often carries a sense of chosen, voluntary calm, distinct from duty or necessity, and is frequently used to describe hobbies, recreation, and optional pursuits.
nounLeisure is a noun meaning free time when one is not working or obligations. It also refers to activities done in those times for enjoyment or relaxation. The term often carries a sense of chosen, voluntary calm, distinct from duty or necessity, and is frequently used to describe hobbies, recreation, and optional pursuits.
How to Pronounce Leisure
"In his leisure, he enjoys painting and hiking with friends."
"The museum offers a variety of programs for people to enjoy during their leisure time."
"She reads novels at her leisure and visits the park on sunny afternoons."
Pronounce as LEE-zher (British tends toward LEZH-ə), with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA US: /ˈliː.ʒɚ/; UK: /ˈliː.ʒə/; AU: /ˈliː.dʒə/. Start with a long 'ee' vowel, then a voiced postalveolar fricative /ʒ/ or /ʒ/ sound, and end with a schwa or rhotic vowel depending on accent. A smooth, connected glide between syllables keeps it natural; avoid a hard ‘lee-zhur’ or ‘lie-zher’ variation.” ,
Common mistakes: 1) Pronouncing the second syllable as /lɪdʒər/ or /lɛdʒər; correct is /ʒə/ or /ɜː/ depending on accent, with a post-alveolar /ʒ/. 2) Turning /ˈliː.ʒə/ into a clear /ˈliː.zjər/ with a consonant cluster; avoid adding an extra vowel. 3) Misplacing stress by saying /ˈliː.dʒɚ/ in a way that makes the second syllable as prominent; keep primary stress on the first syllable. Focus on the /ʒ/ sound and a reduced second syllable.” ,
US pronunciation often rhymes with ‘pleasure,’ sounding like /ˈliː.ɚ/ or /ˈliːˌʒɚ/ with a rhotacized final; the /ɚ/ is a strong schwa+r. UK typically /ˈliː.ʒə/ with a non-rhotacized ending and a clearer schwa. Australian tends toward /ˈliː.dʒə/ or /ˈliː.ʒə/ with similar non-rhotic endings and a slightly crisper /dʒ/ onset. The main differences are rhotics on the final vowel and the degree of vowel reduction in the second syllable; the /ʒ/ sound remains consistent across accents.” ,
The difficulty comes from the second syllable’s vowel reduction and the /ʒ/ sound, which is less common for language learners and carries a distinct sibilant quality. Mastering the timing so stress lands on the first syllable while the second syllable reduces to a soft, quick vowel is tricky. Also, the final vowel varies by accent, affecting rhythm and perceived correctness. Practice by isolating /ˈliː/ and transitioning smoothly into /ʒə/ or /ʒɚ/ depending on your target accent.
In leisure, the second consonant is a voice-affected /ʒ/. The spelling includes ‘s’, but the sound is the voiced postalveolar fricative /ʒ/. It is not silent; the /s/ letter is not pronounced as an /s/ or /z/; instead the sequence is /lɪ/ plus /ʒ/ followed by a reduced vowel. Visualize the word as le-shure, with the key sound being the /ʒ/ in the middle and the final vowel reducing.
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US: rhotic /ɚ/ ending, stronger r-coloring in /ɚ/. UK: non-rhotic; final /ə/ with reduced vowel. AU: non-rhotic-like, with wider vowel timbre; /dʒ/ clearer. Vowel length in /liː/ remains long in all, but the second syllable reduces more in UK/AU. IPA references show /ˈliː.ʒə/, /ˈliː.ʒə/ and /ˈliː.ɚ/ respectively. Practice with minimal pairs to feel vowel quality differences: /(liː) vs (liː)./
Leisure derives from the Old French leisier, later leisure, from licere ‘to be permitted, be allowed’ and ‘free time’ in the sense of permission to rest or play. It entered Middle English as leisere or lesire, with evolving spellings reflecting shifts in pronunciation. The term traces to Latin licēre, meaning ‘to be permitted,’ connected through Norman French influences. By the 14th century, leisure described a state of freedom from work, with connotations of ease, comfort, and enjoyment. Over centuries, meanings broadened to include recreational pursuits and time one can spend without strict obligations. The semantic core centers on voluntary availability and relaxation rather than necessity. In modern usage, leisure often collocates with activities (leisure activities, leisure time), places (leisure center), and descriptors (leisure class), underscoring a cultural emphasis on balanced life, personal choice, and wellbeing beyond labor. The history of leisure reflects social and economic development, including industrialization increasing available leisure time, and later a growing leisure industry with media, sports, travel, and entertainment shaping how societies value free time.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Leisure" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Leisure" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Leisure" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Leisure"
-ure sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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