leeway

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'leeway' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun that means an allowance of time, space, or resources for something, or freedom to act as one chooses. For example, "The supervisor gave the team leeway to come up with their own ideas for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If politicians are entertaining they've got more leeway to make big policy decisions because everyone's diverted by the show".

The Guardian - Books

The disclosure of Prism resulted in a cataclysm in technology circles, with tech giants launching extensive PR campaigns to reassure their customers of data security and successfully pressing the Obama administration to allow them greater leeway to disclose the volume and type of data requests served to them by the government.

The Guardian

Rome has benefited from being granted more deficit leeway by the EU Commission, which has supported its economic reforms.

The Guardian - Business

The former MP, who retired at the last election, called for parliament to determine whether the laws governing the agencies are "too swingeing and give too much leeway to executive action".

The Guardian

I've written often about the absurdity of half the world using dry toilet paper to cleanse the dirtiest part of our bodies; that's almost dwarfed by the leeway given to an industry that makes products that are inserted into or used near one of the most absorbent parts of a woman's body.

The Guardian - Opinion

With this in mind it shouldn't be surprising that we have a state pension "triple-lock", or that the so-called rabbit in the hat in this budget was a radical pension reform, handing over much more leeway to savers to organise their own finances.

The Guardian - Opinion

The French have already been given two years' leeway to hit the target by next year.

The Guardian

Labour has left £30bn of leeway to cut less and invest more than the Tories.

The Guardian - Opinion

Any script in the genre of "faction" has to speculate, conflate and invent dialogue, but Morgan's screenplays claim extreme leeway.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Britain is also proposing a declaration by the Council of Europe's members on subsidiarity jargon for saying that Strasbourg justices should leave national authorities more leeway for interpreting rulings.

The Economist

Poorer countries, led by India, are pushing for leeway to subsidise domestic food production in the name of "food security", to the rich world's dismay.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leeway" when you want to indicate a permissible range of variation or freedom of action within specific constraints or rules. It's useful in contexts where complete rigidity is undesirable.

Common error

Avoid using "leeway" when you actually mean "license". "Leeway" implies permissible deviation within limits, while "license" suggests unrestricted freedom which is a typical mistake. Ensure you are conveying the correct level of constraint.

Linguistic Context

The noun "leeway" functions primarily to denote a degree of freedom or flexibility. Ludwig AI confirms its role in describing allowances or margins, as seen in sentences where individuals or entities are granted "leeway" to operate within certain parameters.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leeway" is a noun indicating freedom or flexibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and very commonly used, especially in news and business contexts. To use it effectively, remember that it implies a permissible range of deviation rather than unrestricted freedom. Common synonyms include "latitude" and "margin". By understanding its function and purpose, you can confidently incorporate "leeway" into your writing to convey the right level of flexibility and constraint.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

degree of latitude

Emphasizes the extent of freedom allowed.

margin for error

Highlights the allowance for mistakes within a process.

room to maneuver

Focuses on the ability to change course or strategy.

flexibility in approach

Stresses adaptability in methods.

scope for discretion

Highlights the freedom to make decisions.

range of options

Indicates the variety of choices available.

elbow room

Suggests sufficient space or freedom to operate effectively.

headway

Implies progress or advancement, often within certain limits.

breathing space

Indicates a temporary relief or pause for reassessment.

some give

Emphasizes a willingness to compromise or be flexible.

FAQs

How can I use "leeway" in a sentence?

You can use "leeway" to describe the amount of freedom or flexibility someone has. For example, "The project manager gave the team some "leeway" in how they approached the tasks."

What's a synonym for "leeway"?

Synonyms for "leeway" include "latitude", "margin", "flexibility", or "wiggle room", all suggesting some degree of freedom or allowance.

Is it correct to say "give someone leeway"?

Yes, the phrase "give someone "leeway"" is a common and correct way to express granting someone freedom or flexibility in how they do something.

What is the difference between "leeway" and "leniency"?

"Leeway" implies a permissible range of variation, while "leniency" suggests a compassionate relaxation of strict rules or punishment. Leniency is often granted in response to a transgression, while leeway is often built into a plan or arrangement.