Key Difference – Leisure vs Entertainment
Leisure and Entertainment are terms used to describe how people spend their free time. While they may seem similar in meaning, there is a subtle distinction between them. Entertainment is primarily defined as the act of being entertained by something, whereas leisure refers to the free time one uses to find entertainment. In English grammar, entertainment is categorized as a noun, while leisure belongs to both noun and adjective groups.
Key Takeaways
- Entertainment is primarily about being amused or happy due to an enjoyable activity.
- Leisure is the free time one can use to engage in activities they prefer, either for entertainment purposes or for other purposes.
- While both leisure and entertainment can be used to describe the state of being happy and relaxed, leisure can be used for other types of activities as well, whereas entertainment is primarily based on providing amusement.
What does Entertainment mean?
Entertainment is the noun form of the verb to entertain. It can be defined as the time or the form of entertaining or making someone feel cheerful by some enjoyable activity. According to Merriam Webster dictionary, entertainment is the ‘act of entertaining’ or ‘amusement or diversion provided especially by performers, a hired band to provide entertainment.’ Similarly, Oxford dictionary defines entertainment as ‘the action of providing or being provided by amusement or enjoyment.’ Entertainment is often some joyful or amusing activity provided to someone by either a third party or sometimes accomplished by the same person, helping to relieve stress or distract from stressful things in life. There are various forms of entertainment, such as banquets, music, performances, games, reading, theatre, dancing, etc., which have existed throughout human history.
What does Leisure mean?
Leisure is essentially the free time or the time when someone can relax and engage in activities that provide happiness or entertainment. As described in the Merriam Webster dictionary, leisure is ‘the freedom provided by the cessation of activities, especially time free from work or duties.’ Furthermore, the definition provided by the Oxford dictionary explains leisure as ‘use of one’s free time to enjoyment’ or ‘opportunity offered by free time to do something.’ Leisure is not necessarily about being enjoyed like in entertainment; it is the free time one can use to engage in the activities they prefer either for entertainment purposes or for other purposes. This is where even sleeping comes under a leisure activity. However, most people use their leisure time for entertainment. Leisure can be used both as a noun and as an adjective, unlike entertainment, which can only be used as a noun.
What are the Similarities Between Leisure and Entertainment?
- Both leisure and entertainment can be used to describe the state of being happy and relaxed.
- Both belong to the category of nouns in English grammar.
- Both can be used to provide amusement or enjoyment to someone.
What is the Difference Between Leisure and Entertainment?
Leisure is the time when one is not working or occupied; free time, while Entertainment is the action of providing or being provided with amusement or enjoyment. Leisure is the time one can use to get entertained, whereas Entertainment is usually the state of being amused or happy as a result of the happiness or amusement provided by something to someone. In English grammar, Leisure belongs to both noun and adjective categories, while Entertainment belongs only to the noun group.
Summary – Leisure vs Entertainment
Both leisure and entertainment can be used to make someone feel amused and cheerful. Leisure can be used for other types of activities as well, which might provide entertainment or not provide entertainment to someone, whereas entertainment primarily is based on providing entertainment to someone. This can be identified as the difference between leisure and entertainment.
