at leisure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at leisure" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use "at leisure" to refer to having leisure time to do something or being relaxed and comfortable in one's activities. Example: On the weekends, I like to relax at home and spend time at leisure.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Evening at leisure.

Cornell University

Repent at leisure.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

DIVORCE in haste, repent at leisure.

The Economist

(Hence its popularity among showmen at leisure).

The New Yorker

Some jumps explode, some sail at leisure.

The New York Times - Arts

Evening at leisure in Lecce.

Cornell University

Spin today, repent at leisure.

The Guardian - Opinion

Regulate in haste, repent at leisure.

The Guardian - Opinion

Finally, tweet in haste, repent at leisure.

The Guardian

Legislate in haste, repent at leisure.

The Guardian

Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "at leisure" with synonyms like "at your convenience" or "in a relaxed manner" to add variety to your writing and avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "at leisure" when the situation requires immediate action or has a strict deadline. The phrase implies a relaxed approach, which would be inappropriate in urgent contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at leisure" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how an action is performed. It indicates that the action is done without hurry or pressure. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is perfectly valid in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

31%

News & Media

67%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at leisure" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that signifies a state of relaxation and freedom from urgency. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in English. It's particularly common in academia and news media, conveying a sense of unhurried ease. While "at leisure" can be used in various contexts, it is crucial to avoid it when conveying urgency, as it implies a relaxed approach. Alternatives such as "at your convenience", "in a relaxed manner", and "without haste" can be employed to add variety to writing. When writing, remember that "at leisure" is a reliable expression, suitable for most situations where a lack of urgency needs to be expressed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at one's convenience

Emphasizes doing something when it is suitable or convenient for someone.

in a relaxed manner

Highlights the absence of stress or hurry while performing an action.

with time to spare

Suggests that there is ample time available without any pressure.

without haste

Focuses on the lack of urgency or rushing in an activity.

in no hurry

Similar to "without haste", emphasizing a lack of pressure to finish quickly.

at your own pace

Indicates the freedom to proceed as slowly or quickly as desired.

at a relaxed tempo

Highlights doing something slowly and calmly.

when you have time

Specifies doing something when available time permits.

in a leisurely fashion

Focuses on enjoying the activity without rushing.

taking one's time

Highlights the act of not hurrying and enjoying the process.

FAQs

How can I use "at leisure" in a sentence?

You can use "at leisure" to indicate that someone has the time and freedom to do something without being rushed. For example, "You can examine the artifacts "at leisure" in the museum's exhibit".

What are some alternatives to "at leisure"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "at your convenience", "in a relaxed manner", or "without haste" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it formal to say "at leisure"?

The phrase "at leisure" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it often carries a slightly more formal tone than alternatives like "take your time".

What does it mean to say "marry in haste, repent at leisure"?

The expression "marry in haste, repent "at leisure"" means that if you rush into marriage, you will have plenty of time to regret it later. It warns against making hasty decisions about marriage.