2 PHRASE If someone does something at leisure or at their leisure , they enjoy themselves by doing it when they want to, without hurrying. □ You will be able to stroll at leisure through the gardens. □ He could read all the national papers at his leisure.
lei |sure cen|tre (leisure centres ) N‑COUNT [oft in names] A leisure centre is a large public building containing different facilities for leisure activities, such as a sports hall, a swimming pool, and rooms for meetings. [BRIT ]
lei|sured /le ʒə r d, [AM ] liː ʒ-/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Leisured people are people who do not work, usually because they are rich. □ …the leisured classes.
2 ADJ Leisured activities are done in a relaxed way or do not involve work. □ …this leisured life of reading and writing.
lei|sure|ly /le ʒə r li, [AM ] liː ʒ-/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A leisurely action is done in a relaxed and unhurried way. □ Lunch was a leisurely affair. □ Tweed walked at a leisurely pace. ● ADV [ADV with v] Leisurely is also an adverb. □ We walked leisurely into the hotel.
leisure|wear /le ʒə r weə r , [AM ] liː ʒ-/ N‑UNCOUNT Leisurewear is informal clothing which you wear when you are not working, for example at weekends or on holiday. [BRIT , WRITTEN ] □ Their range of leisurewear is aimed at fashion-conscious 13 to 25 year-olds.
leit|mo|tif /la I tmoʊtiːf/ (leitmotifs ) also leitmotiv N‑COUNT A leitmotif in something such as a book or film or in a person's life is an idea or an object which occurs again and again. [FORMAL ] □ The title of one of Dietrich's best-known songs could serve as the leitmotif for her life.
lem|ming /le m I ŋ/ (lemmings )
1 N‑COUNT A lemming is an animal that looks like a large rat with thick fur. Lemmings live in cold northern regions and sometimes travel in very large numbers.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] If you say that a large group of people are acting like lemmings , you are critical of them because they all follow each other into an action without thinking about it. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The French crowds pour like lemmings down the motorway to Paris.
lem|on /le mən/ (lemons )
1 N‑VAR A lemon is a bright yellow fruit with very sour juice. Lemons grow on trees in warm countries. □ …a slice of lemon. □ …oranges, lemons and other citrus fruits. □ …lemon juice.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Lemon is a drink that tastes of lemons.
lem|on|ade /le məne I d/ (lemonades ) N‑VAR Lemonade is a colourless sweet fizzy drink. A drink that is made from lemons, sugar, and water and is not fizzy can also be referred to as lemonade . □ He was pouring ice and lemonade into tall glasses. ● N‑COUNT A glass of lemonade can be referred to as a lemonade . □ I'm going to get you a lemonade.
le m|on cu rd N‑UNCOUNT Lemon curd is a thick yellow food made from lemons. You spread it on bread or use it to fill cakes or pastries. [mainly BRIT ]
lem|on|grass /le məngrɑːs, -græs/ also lemon grass N‑UNCOUNT Lemongrass is a type of grass that grows in warm countries. It is used as a flavouring in food.
le m|on squeez|er (lemon squeezers ) N‑COUNT A lemon squeezer is an object used for squeezing juice out of lemons and oranges.
lem|ony /le məni/ ADJ Something that smells or tastes of lemons can be described as lemony .
le m|on ye l|low also lemon-yellow COLOUR Lemon yellow or lemon is used to describe things that are pale yellow in colour.
le|mur /liː mə r / (lemurs ) N‑COUNT A lemur is an animal that looks like a small monkey and has a long tail and a face similar to that of a fox.
lend ◆◇◇ /le nd/ (lends , lending , lent )
1 VERB When people or organizations such as banks lend you money, they give it to you and you agree to pay it back at a future date, often with an extra amount as interest. □ [V n] The bank is reassessing its criteria for lending money. □ [V n n] I had to lend him ten pounds to take his children to the pictures. □ [V ] …financial de-regulation that led to institutions being more willing to lend. [Also V n + to , V + to ] ● lend|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …a financial institution that specializes in the lending of money. □ …a slump in bank lending.
2 VERB If you lend something that you own, you allow someone to have it or use it for a period of time. □ [V n n] Will you lend me your jacket for a little while? □ [V n + to ] He had lent the bungalow to the Conrads for a couple of weeks.
3 VERB If you lend your support to someone or something, you help them with what they are doing or with a problem that they have. □ [V n + to ] He was approached by the organisers to lend support to a benefit concert. □ [V n] Stipe attended yesterday's news conference to lend his support. [Also V n n]
4 VERB If something lends itself to a particular activity or result, it is easy for it to be used for that activity or to achieve that result. □ [V pron-refl + to ] The room lends itself well to summer eating with its light, airy atmosphere.
5 VERB If something lends a particular quality to something else, it adds that quality to it. □ [V n + to ] Enthusiastic applause lent a sense of occasion to the proceedings. □ [V n n] A more relaxed regime and regular work lends the inmates a dignity not seen in other prisons. [Also V n]
6 → see also lent
7 to lend an ear → see ear
8 to lend a hand → see hand ➊ SYNONYMS lend VERB 1