What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
idleness
Example
His idleness was starting to affect his grades. [idleness: noun]
Example
She spent the day in idleness, watching TV and scrolling through social media. [idleness: noun]
leisure
Example
He enjoys spending his leisure time reading books. [leisure: noun]
Example
They went on a leisurely hike through the mountains. [leisurely: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Leisure is more commonly used than idleness in everyday language. Leisure is a versatile term that covers a wide range of contexts, while idleness is less common and has a more negative connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between idleness and leisure?
Both idleness and leisure are typically associated with a casual and informal tone. However, leisure can also be used in formal contexts to describe activities or interests outside of work or obligation.
