leeway

Plural: leeways

Noun

• The lateral drift of a ship; also, room for freedom of action.
• (of a ship or plane) sideways drift
• a permissible difference; allowing some freedom to move within limits
• The drift of a ship or aeroplane in a leeward direction.
• A varying degree or amount of freedom or flexibility.
• An adverse discrepancy or variation in a cumulative process, usually in the phrase make up leeway.

Examples

• I don't think we have a lot of leeway when it comes to proper formatting.
• My opponent had no LEEWAY to challenge my word, as it was perfectly valid.

Synonyms

allowance, margin, tolerance, elbowroom, flexibility, freedom, latitude, wiggle room

Related Words

lee, leeward