recreational
gb/ɹˌɛkɹiˈeɪʃənəl/ us/ɹˌɛkɹiˈeɪʃənəl/
B2
English
~ 6600
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
related to leisure activities
Describes things that are for fun and free-time, not for work or serious business.
Usage pattern:
recreational [activity/facility/area/sport]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *recreational* to describe a person (e.g., *I am recreational*), which is incorrect. Use it before a noun instead (e.g., *recreational activities*, *recreational center*). Another mistake is using *recreational time* instead of more natural phrases like *free time* or *leisure time*.
Synonyms
leisure (Often used before nouns (leisure activities, leisure time); slightly broader and more about free time in general.)
Antonyms
work-related (Emphasizes connection to one's job or duties, not to free-time enjoyment.)
Collocations
recreational activities
|recreational facilities
|recreational area
|recreational sports
|recreational program
|recreational use
Themes
lifestyle
|sports
|travel
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The city is investing in new recreational facilities, including a swimming pool and a skate park.
- This lake is a popular recreational area for boating and fishing.
- The hotel offers many recreational activities, such as yoga classes and guided hikes.
- A large part of the island is reserved as a recreational park for local residents.
- He joined a recreational basketball league to stay active and meet new people.
Learner examples
- The town has many recreational activities for children.
- We went to a recreational park near the river.
- She plays on a recreational soccer team after work.
- The new center has recreational rooms with games and music.
- They built a recreational area for families to relax.
adjective
C1
property
2
relating to non-medical drug use
Used about drugs that people take for fun, not because a doctor says they need them.
Usage pattern:
recreational [drugs/drug use/cannabis/marijuana]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think *recreational* here means the drugs are legal or safe, but it only means they are taken for pleasure, not for medical reasons. It does not say anything by itself about legality or safety.
Synonyms
non-medical (More technical and often used in official or academic contexts; focuses on the absence of medical purpose without highlighting pleasure.)
Antonyms
medicinal (Describes drugs used for treating illness or symptoms under medical guidance, the opposite of pleasure-only use.)
Collocations
recreational drugs
|recreational drug use
|recreational cannabis
|recreational marijuana
|recreational users
Themes
health
|law
|society
|daily_life
Examples
- The new law allows recreational cannabis for adults over 21.
- Health officials warned about the risks of recreational drug use among teenagers.
- He strongly opposes the legalization of recreational marijuana.
- Researchers compared the effects of medicinal and recreational cannabis users.
- Many countries still have strict penalties for possessing recreational drugs.
Learner examples
- Some people use marijuana as a recreational drug.
- The city banned recreational drug use at all festivals.
- Recreational drugs can be very dangerous for your health.
- She is against the sale of recreational cannabis.
- They talked about the difference between medical and recreational use.
Grammar
Dictionary form
recreational
IPA
GB/ɹˌɛkɹiˈeɪʃənəl/
US/ɹˌɛkɹiˈeɪʃənəl/
Syllables & stress
re - cre - ation - al (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ation)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: recreational
Word family
Core family
recreation
noun B1
Related words
recreationally
adverb
Expressions
recreational activities
1/ɹˌɛkɹiˈeɪʃənəl æktˈɪvɪtiz/
fixed phrase
activities for fun in free time
Things people do for fun when they are not working or studying.
Examples
- The camp offers many recreational activities, including kayaking and archery.
- In the evenings, the hotel organizes recreational activities for guests.
recreational area
1/ɹˌɛkɹiˈeɪʃənəl ˈɛɹiə/
fixed phrase
outdoor space for leisure use
A part of land, often a park or natural place, where people can relax or do outdoor activities for fun.
Examples
- This part of the forest is a protected recreational area for hikers.
- The city plans to turn the old industrial site into a recreational area.
recreational drug use
1/ɹˌɛkɹiˈeɪʃənəl dɹˈʌɡ jˈus/
fixed phrase
using drugs for enjoyment
The act of taking drugs for fun, not as medicine.
Examples
- The report shows an increase in recreational drug use among college students.
- They discussed how to reduce recreational drug use in the community.
recreational drugs
1/ɹˌɛkɹiˈeɪʃənəl dɹˈʌɡz/
fixed phrase
drugs used for pleasure only
Drugs that people take to feel good or different, not because a doctor tells them to.
Examples
- The government is running a campaign to warn young people about the dangers of recreational drugs.
- Many festivals now have teams on site to deal with problems related to recreational drugs.
recreational facilities
1/ɹˌɛkɹiˈeɪʃənəl fəsˈɪlɪtiz/
fixed phrase
places and equipment for leisure
Buildings, rooms, or special places where people can do fun activities, like gyms, pools, or sports centers.
Examples
- The university has excellent recreational facilities for its students.
- Residents complained that their neighborhood lacks recreational facilities.
recreational vehicle
1/ɹˌɛkɹiˈeɪʃənəl vˈiɪkəl/
fixed phrase
motorhome used for leisure travel
A large vehicle, like a motorhome, that people use for travel and camping, often with a place to sleep and cook inside.
Examples
- They bought a recreational vehicle and spent the summer driving across the country.
- The campground has special spaces for recreational vehicles.