leeway
/ˈliːweɪ
/noun [mass noun]
1The amount of freedom to move or act that is available: the government had greater leeway to introduce reforms...
- Because of it she had been given more freedom and leeway then other daughters of kings.
- Our readers have a fair amount of leeway in choosing where they earn those frequent-traveler points.
- And I think the press is at least giving them leeway now to make those moves.
Synonyms
freedom, scope, room to manoeuvre, latitude, elbow room, slack, space, room, liberty, room to spare, room to operate, scope for initiative, freedom of action, freedom from restriction, a free hand, flexibility, independence, licence, self-determination, free rein, free play, unrestrictedness, indulgence, margin, play, give, laxity, leisure
informal wriggle room, wiggle room
French carte blanche
1.1Margin of safety: there is little leeway if anything goes wrong...
- Up here in the still vastness there is no margin for error, no wiggle room, no leeway between getting it right and dying.
2The sideways drift of a ship to leeward of the desired course: the leeway is only about 2°
Phrases
make up (the) leeway
Rhymes
- punched card
- punched paper
- punched paper tape
- punched tape
- puncheon
- puncheoned
- puncher
- punchery
- punch forceps
- punch graft
- punch grafting
- punch-house
- punchifier
- punchily
- Punchinello
- Punchinello voice
- punchiness
- punching bag
- punching ball
- punching block
- punching match
- punching press
- punch in (or out)
- punchless
- punchline