Etymologically
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recreational

Etymology and origin of the English word recreational

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1656

Etymology

It is formed from recreation and -al.[1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Of or relating to recreation: 1656 in the OED and Merriam-Webster, the 1650s in Etymonline.[2][3][1]

Semantic evolution

Recreational mathematics, studied for pleasure, is from 1940.[2] A recreational drug, taken for pleasure, is attested from 1967.[1][4] A recreationalist, who promotes facilities for recreation, is from 1970.[2]

Timeline

  • 1656 – recreational.[2]
  • 1940 – recreational mathematics.[2]
  • 1967 – recreational drug.[1]
  • 1970 – recreationalist.[2]

Modern meaning

Adjective

  1. Of, relating to or used for recreation: recreational facilities.
  2. Of a drug, taken for pleasure rather than for medical reasons or from addiction.

Word family

  • recreationally
  • recreational drug
  • recreational vehicle

References

  1. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  2. ^ a b c d e f Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  3. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins
Cite this entry

“Recreational.” Etymologically, 17 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/recreational. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·