leeway — freedom to act or make decisions without restriction; a margin of safety or tolerance
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: freedom to act or make decisions without restriction; a margin of safety or tolerance
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈliːweɪ/
Example Sentences
- My boss gives me a lot of leeway, so I can work from my pajamas... I mean, work from home.
- The budget has very little leeway for unexpected expenses.
- Parents should give teenagers some leeway to make their own mistakes and learn from them.
leeway
NOUN[/ˈliːweɪ/]
freedom to act or make decisions without restriction; a margin of safety or tolerance
freedom to act or make decisions without restriction; a margin of safety or tolerance
The freeway becomes a gateway when you have leeway!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Leeway originates from nautical terminology, referring to the sideways drift of a ship caused by wind or currents away from its intended course. The term later evolved metaphorically to denote flexibility or allowable margin in general contexts.
Breakdown
lee- (the sheltered side, away from the wind) + -way (direction, passage). The compound originally described the lateral deviation a vessel experiences perpendicular to its heading.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My boss gives me a lot of leeway, so I can work from my pajamas... I mean, work from home.”
“The budget has very little leeway for unexpected expenses.”
“Parents should give teenagers some leeway to make their own mistakes and learn from them.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
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