1.
spare time, free time, leisure
A more formal or literary expression for free time.
数え上げれば暇がない。
There's no end to listing them all.
忙しくて休む暇もない。
I'm so busy I don't even have time to rest.
問題は枚挙に暇がない。
The problems are too numerous to list.
2.
leave, leave-taking, farewell
Used when taking one's leave, especially in formal situations.
そろそろお暇します。
I should take my leave now.
長居してしまいました。お暇いたします。
I've overstayed. I shall take my leave.
暇を告げて帰路についた。
I said my farewells and headed home.
暇 is a formal/literary reading of the kanji 暇. It appears primarily in set expressions rather than in casual conversation.
SENSE 1 — SPARE TIME:
Used in formal expressions about having (or lacking) time:
- 暇がない: to have no time, to be endless
- 枚挙に暇がない: too numerous to count (set phrase)
- 休む暇もない: not even time to rest
SENSE 2 — LEAVE-TAKING:
A formal way of excusing oneself:
- お暇する: to take one's leave (polite)
- 暇を告げる: to bid farewell (literary)
- お暇いたします: I shall take my leave (very polite)
CONTRAST WITH ひま:
- 暇: free time, not busy (everyday word)
- 暇: spare time, leave-taking (formal/literary)
The same kanji is read differently: ひま is casual and common; いとま is elevated and restricted to set phrases.