Word forms: comparative freer, superlative freest, 3rd person singular presenttense frees, present participle freeing, past tense, past participle freed
1. adjective
If something is free, you can have it or use it without paying for it.
The seminars are free, with lunch provided.
...a free brochure with details of gift vouchers.
Synonyms: complimentary, for free [informal], for nothing, unpaid More Synonyms of free
2. free of charge
3. adjective [oft ADJECTIVE to-infinitive]
Someone or something that is free is not restricted, controlled, or limited, for example by rules, customs, or otherpeople.
The government will be free to pursue its economic policies.
The elections were free and fair.
Economists argued that freer markets would quickly revive the region's economy.
He wrote that a free press is essential to a democratic society.
Dogs were allowed to roam free and 48 sheep were killed.
Synonyms: allowed, permitted, unrestricted, unimpeded More Synonyms of free
freelyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
They cast their votes freely and without coercion on election day.
Merchandise can now circulate freely among the E.U. countries.
Synonyms: without restraint, voluntarily, willingly, unchallenged More Synonyms of free
4. verb
If you free someone of something that is unpleasant or restricting, you remove it from them.
It will free us of a whole lot of debt. [V n of/from n]
The 30-year-old star is trying to free himself from his recording contract. [V n + of/from]
Synonyms: clear, deliver, disengage, cut loose More Synonyms of free
5. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun, verb-link ADJECTIVE, ADJECTIVE after verb]
Someone who is free is no longer a prisoner or a slave.
He walked from the court house a free man.
More than ninety prisoners have been set free so far under a government amnesty.
6. verb
To free a prisoner or a slave means to let them go or release them from prison.
The new government said it had freed all political prisoners. [VERB noun]
The act had a specific intent, to protect freed slaves from white mobs. [VERB-ed]
7. adjective
If someone or something is free of or free from an unpleasant thing, they do not have it or they are not affected by it.
...a future far more free of fear. [+ of/from]
The filtration system provides the crew with clean air free from fumes.
8. adjective
A sum of money or type of goods that is free of tax or duty is one that you do not have to pay tax on.
9. See also duty-free, interest-free, tax-free
10. verb
To free someone or something means to make them available for a task or function that theywere previously not available for.
Toolbelts free both hands and lessen the risk of dropping hammers. [VERB noun]
His deal with Disney will run out shortly, freeing him to pursue his own project. [VERB noun to-infinitive]
There were more civilians working for the police, freeing officers from desk jobs. [V n + from/of/for]
Free up means the same as free.
It can handle even the most complex graphic jobs, freeing up your computer for othertasks. [VERBPARTICLE noun]
[Also VERB noun PARTICLE]
11. adjective
If you have a free period of time or are free at a particular time, you are not working or occupied then.
She spent her free time shopping.
I used to write during my free periods at school.
I am always free at lunchtime.
Synonyms: non-working, leisure, unemployed, idle More Synonyms of free
12. adjective
If something such as a table or seat is free, it is not being used or occupied by anyone, or is not reserved for anyone to use.
There was only one seat free on the train.
They took the only free table, which was just inside the door.
Synonyms: available, extra, empty, spare More Synonyms of free
13. adjective [verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If you get something free or if it gets free, it is no longer trapped by anything or attached to anything.
The severe conditions hampered attempts to pull the vessel free of the rig.
He pulled his arm free, and strode for the door.
The shark was writhing around wildly, trying to get free.
14. verb
If you free someone or something, you remove them from the place in which they have been trappedor become fixed.
It took firemen two hours to cut through the drive belt to free him. [VERB noun]
He managed to free one hand to ward off a punch. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: disentangle, extricate, disengage, detach More Synonyms of free
15. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
When someone is using one hand or arm to hold or move something, their other handor arm is referred to as their free one.
He snatched up the receiver and his free hand groped for the switch on the bedsidelamp.
She checked her fall with her free arm.
16. adjective [verb-link ADJECTIVEwith noun]
If you say that someone is free with something such as advice or money, you mean that they give a lot of it, sometimes when it is not wanted.
[disapproval]
They weren't always so free with their advice.
They would often be free with criticism, some of it unjustified.
Synonyms: generous, willing, liberal, eager More Synonyms of free
17.
See feel free
18.
See for free
19.
See for free
20. to give someone a free hand
Phrasal verbs:
See free up
More Synonyms of free
-free
(-friː)
combining form
-free combines with nouns to form adjectives that indicate that something does not havethe thing mentioned, or has only a little of it. For example, sugar-free drinks do not contain any sugar, and lead-free petrol is made using only a small amount of lead.
...a salt-free diet.
free in British English
(friː)
adjectiveWord forms: freer or freest
1.
able to act at will; not under compulsion or restraint
2.
a.
having personal rights or liberty; not enslaved or confined
b.
(as noun)
land of the free
3. (often postpositive; and foll byfrom)
not subject (to) or restricted (by some regulation, constraint, etc); exempt
a free market
free from pain
4.
(of a country, etc) autonomous or independent
5.
exempt from external direction or restriction; not forced or induced
free will
6.
not subject to conventional constraints
free verse
7.
(of jazz) totally improvised, with no preset melodic, harmonic, or rhythmic basis
8.
not exact or literal
a free translation
9.
costing nothing; provided without charge
free entertainment
10. law(of property)
a.
not subject to payment of rent or performance of services; freehold
b.
not subject to any burden or charge, such as a mortgage or lien; unencumbered
11. (postpositive; often foll by of or with)
ready or generous in using or giving; liberal; lavish
free with advice
12.
unrestrained by propriety or good manners; licentious
13.
not occupied or in use; available
a free cubicle
14.
not occupied or busy; without previous engagements
I'm not free until Wednesday
15.
open or available to all; public
16.
without charge to the subscriber or user
freepost
freephone
17.
not fixed or joined; loose
the free end of a chain
18.
without obstruction or impediment
free passage
19. chemistry
chemically uncombined
free nitrogen
20. phonetics
denoting a vowel that can occur in an open syllable, such as the vowel in see as opposed to the vowel in cat
21. grammar
denoting a morpheme that can occur as a separate word
Compare bound1 (sense 8a)
22. logic
denoting an occurrence of a variable not bound by a quantifier
Compare bound1 (sense 9)
23.
(of some materials, such as certain kinds of stone) easily worked
24. nautical
(of the wind) blowing from the quarter
25. feel free
26. for free
27. free and easy
28. make free with
adverb
29.
in a free manner; freely
30.
without charge or cost
31. nautical
with the wind blowing from the quarter
a yacht sailing free
verbWord forms: frees, freeing or freed(transitive)
32. (sometimes foll by up)
to set at liberty; release
33.
to remove obstructions, attachments, or impediments from; disengage
34. (often foll byof or from)
to relieve or rid (of obstacles, pain, etc)
noun
35. informal
a freesheet
Derived forms
freely (ˈfreely)
adverb
freeness (ˈfreeness)
noun
freer (ˈfreer)
noun
Word origin
Old English frēo; related to Old Saxon, Old High German frī, Gothic freis free, Sanskrit priya dear
-free in British English
combining form in adjective
free from
trouble-free
lead-free petrol
free in American English
(fri)
adjectiveWord forms: ˈfreer or ˈfreest
1.
a.
not under the control of some other person or some arbitrary power; able to act or think without compulsion or arbitrary restriction; having liberty; independent
b.
characterized by or resulting from liberty
2.
a.
having, or existing under, a government that does not impose arbitrary restrictions on the right to speak, assemble, petition, vote, etc.; having civil and political liberty
a free people
b.
not under control of a foreign government
3.
able to move in any direction; not held, as in chains, etc.; not kept from motion;loose
4.
not held or confined by a court, the police, etc.; acquitted
5.
not held or burdened by obligations, debts, discomforts, etc.; unhindered; unhampered
free from pain
6.
at liberty; allowed
free to leave at any time
7.
not confined to the usual rules or patterns; not limited by convention or tradition
free verse
8.
not literal; not exact
a free translation
9.
not held or confined by prejudice or bias
10.
not restricted by anything except its own limitations or nature
free will
11.
not busy or not in use; available for other work, use, etc.
12.
readily done or made; spontaneous
a free offer
13.
not constrained or stilted; easy and graceful
a free gait
14.
a.
generous; liberal; lavish
a free spender
b.
profuse; copious
15.
frank; straightforward
16.
too frank or familiar in speech, action, etc.; forward; indecorous
17.
with no charge or cost; gratis
a free ticket
18.
not liable to (trade restrictions, etc.); exempt from certain impositions, as taxes or duties
19.
clear of obstructions; open and unimpeded
a free road ahead
20.
open to all; esp., without restrictions as to trade
a free market, free port
21.
not in contact or connection; not fastened
the free end of a rope
22.
not united; not combined
free oxygen
23.
not opposed; favorable
said of a wind blowing from a direction more than six points from straight ahead
24. Games
additional; extra
a free turn
25. Jazz
designating or of improvisation unrestricted by set harmonic structure, rhythmic patterns, tempo, etc.
26. Linguistics
designating a minimum form, or morpheme, that may occur alone as an independent word
in “boys,” boy is a free form, but -s is not
see also bound2 (sense 9)
adverbWord forms: ˈfreer or ˈfreest
27.
without cost or payment
28.
in a free manner; without obstruction, burden, obligation, etc.
29. Nautical
with a favorable wind
verb transitiveWord forms: freed or ˈfreeing
30.
to make free
; specif.,
a.
to release from bondage or arbitrary power, authority, obligation, etc.
b.
to clear of obstruction, entanglement, etc.; disengage
Idioms:
for free
free and easy
free from
free up
give (or have) a free hand
make free with
set free
with a free hand
SYNONYMY NOTE: free is the general term meaning to set loose from any sort of restraint, entanglement,burden, etc. [to free a convict, one's conscience, etc.]; release, more or less interchangeable with , free, stresses a setting loose from confinement, literally or figuratively [release me from my promise]; liberate emphasizes the state of liberty into which the freed person or thing is brought [to liberate prisoners of war]; emancipate refers to a freeing from the bondage of slavery or of social institutions or conventionsregarded as equivalent to slavery [emancipated from medieval superstition]; discharge, in this connection, implies a being permitted to leave that which confines or restrains[discharged at last from the army]
OPPOSITES: restrain, bind, confine
Derived forms
freely (ˈfreely)
adverb
freeness (ˈfreeness)
noun
Word origin
ME fre < OE freo, not in bondage, noble, glad, illustrious, akin to Ger frei, Du vrij < IE base *prei-, to be fond of, hold dear > friend, Sans priyá-, dear, desired
-free in American English
(fri)
free of or from, exempt from, without
used in hyphenated compounds
tax-free income
More idioms containing
free
have a free hand
free as a bird
give someone free rein
a free ride
there's no such thing as a free lunch
Examples of 'free' in a sentence
free
Your creative side is ready to be set free.
The Sun (2017)
We have too many people getting a free ride.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Download one of the free fitness apps to help monitor your activity.
The Sun (2017)
My father was free to do something.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The defender joined on a free transfer in the summer and played four times.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Free credit card charges applies to deposit only.
The Sun (2016)
There have to be limits to free speech.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
To receive 30 per cent off plus free p&p visit harpercollins.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If you are there on the first Friday of the month you can take in a free festival with live painting, food and music.
The Sun (2016)
We are set free to love those who oppose us and to listen to their stories.
Christianity Today (2000)
Yet that trade has to be both free and fair.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Why should positive people have a free pass?
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
One is tempted to say that there is something like free association going on here.
The Times Literary Supplement (2010)
You can print out deals or the site has a free app for use on the move.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Now he has to restore the winning habit to a squad of free transfers and loan signings.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Such services might be provided free of charge but paid for out of taxation.
Chambers, Ian Business Studies Basic Facts (1990)
Why does she have any less a right to free speech than the rest of the country?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Our economic platform is based on the twin pillars of a free economy and social justice.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It is now making the data available to other governments free of charge.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
We also offer a free telephone advice line to our members.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
They still roam as free as the wind.
Kathleen E. Woodiwiss THE WOLF AND THE DOVE
We wanted to see how much she could get for free in one day.
The Sun (2008)
These free schools are already outperforming other schools.
The Sun (2015)
We want to ensure that we remain a free and prosperous land of opportunity.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It was hardly an act of free will.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
You can plan your home life to free time for your own projects.
The Sun (2014)
Pop along to one of the free screenings at the independent festival in London.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This is free and available if you have already followed your insurer's process andgot nowhere.
The Sun (2016)
That means he will become a free agent in November.
The Sun (2011)
The pair, freed in an amnesty.
The Sun (2013)
Quotations
Free at last, Free at last Thank God Almighty I'm Free at lastMartin Luther King Jr.Spiritual, quoted on his tomb
The free way of life proposes ends, but it does not prescribe meansRobert F. KennedyThe Pursuit of Justice
I am condemned to be freeJean-Paul SartreL'Être et le néant
The thoughts of a prisoner - they're not free either. They keep returning to the samethingsAlexander SolzhenitsynOne Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
The best things in life are free
There's no such thing as a free lunch
In other languages
free
British English: free /friː/ ADJECTIVE
at liberty If you are free, you can do what you like or go where you like.
You are free to come here any time.
American English: free no restraint
Arabic: حُرّ
Brazilian Portuguese: livre
Chinese: 自由的
Croatian: slobodan
Czech: volný svobodný
Danish: fri
Dutch: vrij
European Spanish: libre
Finnish: vapaa
French: libre
German: frei
Greek: ελεύθερος
Italian: libero
Japanese: 自由な
Korean: 무료로
Norwegian: fri
Polish: wolny
European Portuguese: livre
Romanian: liber
Russian: свободный
Latin American Spanish: libre
Swedish: fri
Thai: มีอิสระ
Turkish: özgür
Ukrainian: вільний
Vietnamese: tự do
British English: free /friː/ ADJECTIVE
at no cost If something is free, you can have it without paying any money for it.
If you buy a cup of coffee, you get a free cake.
American English: free no cost
Arabic: مَجَّاناً
Brazilian Portuguese: gratuito
Chinese: 免费的
Croatian: besplatan
Czech: zadarmo
Danish: gratis
Dutch: gratis
European Spanish: gratis
Finnish: ilmainen
French: gratuit
German: kostenlos
Greek: δωρεάν
Italian: gratis
Japanese: 無料の
Korean: 무료의
Norwegian: gratis
Polish: bezpłatny
European Portuguese: gratuito
Romanian: gratuit
Russian: бесплатный
Latin American Spanish: gratis
Swedish: gratis
Thai: ฟรี
Turkish: bedava
Ukrainian: безкоштовний
Vietnamese: miễn phí
British English: free /friː/ VERB
If you free someone of something unpleasant, you remove it from them.
It will free us of debt.
American English: free
Arabic: يُحَرِّرُ
Brazilian Portuguese: libertar
Chinese: 摆脱
Croatian: osloboditi
Czech: osvobodit
Danish: befri
Dutch: vrijmaken
European Spanish: soltar
Finnish: vapauttaa
French: libérer
German: befreien
Greek: ελευθερώνω
Italian: liberare
Japanese: ･･･を自由にする
Korean: 없애다
Norwegian: frigjøre
Polish: uwolnić
European Portuguese: libertar
Romanian: a elibera
Russian: освобождать
Latin American Spanish: soltar
Swedish: frita
Thai: ทำให้อิสระ
Turkish: özgürlüğüne kavuşturmak
Ukrainian: звільняти
Vietnamese: thả tự do
All related terms of 'free'
free up
To free up a market , economy , or system means to make it operate with fewer restrictions and controls.
GM-free
GM-free products or crops are products or crops that do not contain any genetically modified material .
born-free
(in South Africa ) a person who was born or grew up after the end of the Apartheid era
duty-free
Duty-free goods are sold at airports or on planes or ships at a cheaper price than usual because you do not have to pay import tax on them.
fat-free
containing no fat or very little fat
feel free
You say ' feel free ' when you want to give someone permission to do something, in a very willing way .
for free
If you do something or get something for free , you do it without being paid or get it without having to pay for it.
free city
a sovereign or autonomous city; city-state
free fall
If the value or price of something goes into free fall , it starts to fall uncontrollably.
free form
A free form work of art or piece of music has not been created according to a standard style or convention .
free from
lacking; without
free gift
something given away , esp as an incentive to a purchaser
free gold
gold, uncombined with other minerals, found in a pure state
free hand
unrestricted freedom to act (esp in the phrase give ( someone ) a free hand )
free hit
in certain forms of cricket , esp one-day internationals , after the bowler has bowled a no-ball , a chance for a batsman to strike a ball without the possibility of being caught out
free jazz
a style of jazz in which improvization is dominant
free kick
In a game of football , when there is a free kick , the ball is given to a member of one side to kick because a member of the other side has broken a rule .
free list
a list of commodities not subject to tariffs
free love
A belief in free love is the belief that it is acceptable and good to have sexual relationships without marrying , often several relationships at the same time.
free pass
A free pass is an official document that allows a person to travel or to enter a particular building without having to pay.
free port
A free port is a port or airport where goods can be brought in from foreign countries without payment of duty if they are going to be exported again.
free rein
unhampered freedom of movement, choice , or action
free ride
the use, enjoyment , etc. of something without the usual expenditure of money or effort
free shot
an unimpeded shot at the basket from the free-throw line given for a technical fault (one free shot) or a foul (two free shots )
free soil
territory in which there is no slavery ; esp., any territory in the U.S. where slavery was prohibited before the Civil War
free vote
a parliamentary division in which members are not constrained by a party whip
free will
If you believe in free will , you believe that people have a choice in what they do and that their actions have not been decided in advance by God or by any other power .
free zone
an area at a port where certain customs restrictions are not implemented
germ-free
not carrying microorganisms , esp ones that produce disease in animals or plants
home free
beyond the point of doubt in approaching success or victory
lead-free
Something such as petrol or paint which is lead-free , is made without lead , or has no lead added to it.
post-free
with the postage prepaid ; post-paid
rent-free
If you have a rent-free house or office, you do not have to pay anything to use it.
salt-free
containing or involving no salt
scot-free
If you say that someone got away scot-free , you are emphasizing that they escaped punishment for something that you believe they should have been punished for.
set free
to cause to be free; release ; liberate
tax-free
Tax-free is used to describe income on which you do not have to pay tax.
toll-free
A toll-free phone number is one which you can dial without having to pay for the call.
Wee Free
a member of the minority of the Free Church of Scotland that refused to be joined with the United Free Church in 1900
child-free
making a positive choice not to have children
fancy-free
having no commitments ; carefree
free advice
If you give someone advice , you tell them what you think they should do in a particular situation .
free agent
If you say that someone is a free agent , you are emphasizing that they can do whatever they want to do, because they are not responsible to anyone or for anyone.
Free Church
any Protestant Church , esp the Presbyterian , other than the Established Church
free clinic
a local clinic that treats outpatients free of charge
free diving
chiefly Brit See skin diving
free energy
a thermodynamic property that expresses the capacity of a system to perform work under certain conditions
free fight
a fight without rules in which everyone may join
free flight
the flight of a rocket , missile , etc, when its engine has ceased to produce thrust
Free French
an organization of French military personnel and volunteers formed in exile in London under General de Gaulle in 1940; they fought the Axis powers in the French colonies , Italy, and in the liberation of France
⇒ His contract will run out shortly, freeing him to pursue his own projects.他的合同很快就要到期了，这样他得以摆脱来发展自己的项目。 (Tā de hétong hěn kuài jiù yào dàoqī le, zhèyàng tā déyǐ bǎituō lái fāzhǎn zìjǐ dexiàngmù.)
free (of charge), for free免费(費) (miǎnfèi)
to give sb a free hand给(給)某人自主权(權) (gěi mǒurén zìzhǔquán)
admission free免费(費)进(進)入 (miǎnfèi jìnrù)
to be free of or from sth没(沒)有某物 (méiyǒu mǒuwù)
⇒ The area will be free of pollution by the year 2006.到2006年，这个地区将没有污染。 (Dào èrlínglíngliù nián, zhège dìqū jiāng méiyǒu wūrǎn.)
to be free to do sth随(隨)意做某事 (suíyì zuò mǒushì)
⇒ Women should be free to dress as they please.女性应该任其喜好随意穿戴。 (Nǚxìng yīnggāi rèn qí xǐhào suíyì chuāndài.)
free and easy自由自在的 (zìyóu zìzài de)
feel free随(隨)便 (suíbiàn)
to free sb of sth使某人摆(擺)脱(脫)某物 (shǐ mǒurén bǎituō mǒuwù)
All related terms of 'free'
tax-free
免税(稅)的 miǎnshuì de
duty-free
( drink, cigarettes ) 免税(稅)的 miǎnshuì de
feel free
随(隨)便 suíbiàn
free gift
赠(贈)品 zèngpǐn [ 件 jiàn ]
free kick
任意球 rènyìqiú
free will
▶ of one's own free will 自觉(覺)自愿(願)地 zì jué zì yuàn de
Even unpaid work for charity is better than nothing.
for love
She does it for love – not money.
free of charge
on the house
He brought them glasses of champagne on the house.
without charge
gratuitous
He provided gratuitous services for charity.
at no cost
gratis
I'll give it you free, gratis and for nothing.
buckshee (British, slang)
open or open source (computing)
2 (adjective)
Definition
able to act at will
The government will be free to pursue its economic policies.
Synonyms
allowed
permitted
unrestricted
unimpeded
U.N. aid convoys have unimpeded access to the city.
at liberty
I'm not at liberty to say where it is, because the deal hasn't gone through yet.
open
clear
able
loose
unattached
unregulated
disengaged
Diane felt somewhat disengaged from those around her.
untrammelled
unobstructed
unhampered
unengaged
3 (adjective)
Definition
not enslaved or confined
All the hostages are free.
Synonyms
at liberty
There is no confirmation that he is at liberty.
loose
He was chased by a loose dog.
liberated
at large
The banks robber is still at large.
off the hook (slang)
on the loose
A man-eating lion is on the loose.
Opposites
secured
,
bound
,
restricted
,
dependent
,
confined
,
restrained
,
captive
,
incarcerated
,
fettered
,
immured
4 (adjective)
Definition
able to act at will
I was young and free at the time.
Synonyms
independent
My children will grow up resolute, independent and tough.
unfettered
Unfettered free trade is an ideal, never achieved.
unrestrained
There was unrestrained joy on the faces of the people.
uncommitted
The allegiance of uncommitted voters will be crucial.
footloose
unconstrained
unengaged
not tied down
5 (adjective)
Definition
(of a person) not busy
I spend my free time shopping.
Synonyms
non-working
leisure
unemployed
Have you been unemployed for over six months?
idle
Employees have been idle for almost a month now.
unoccupied
Portraits of unoccupied youths predominate.
6 (adjective)
Definition
not occupied or in use
There's only one seat free on the train.
Synonyms
available
He is on holiday and is not available for comment.
extra
This exercise will help you burn up any extra calories.
empty
The room was bare and empty.
spare
They don't have a lot of spare cash.
vacant
They came upon a vacant house.
unused
Throw away any unused cream when it has reached the expiry date.
uninhabited
an uninhabited island in the North Pacific
unoccupied
The house was unoccupied at the time of the explosion.
untaken
7 (adjective)
Definition
not fixed or joined
Wrap the free end of the strip over the second length of piping
Synonyms
unattached
loose
A page came loose and floated onto the tiles.
unsecured
untied
unfastened
8 (adjective)
They weren't always so free with their advice.
Synonyms
generous
You're very generous with your money.
willing
liberal
They thanked him for his liberal generosity.
eager
lavish
American reviewers are lavish in their praise of this book.
charitable
He made large donations to numerous charitable organizations.
hospitable
The people here are hospitable and welcoming.
prodigal
You are prodigal of both your toil and your talent.
bountiful
Their bountiful host was serving a variety of wonderful dishes.
open-handed
unstinting
The task was made easier by the unstinting help extended to me.
unsparing
She was unsparing with her devotion to the team.
bounteous
munificent
a munificent donation
big (informal)
Opposites
mean
, close,
tight
,
stingy
,
ungenerous
,
mingy (informal)
9 (adjective)
Definition
(of a country) independent
We cannot survive as a free nation.
Synonyms
autonomous
They declared themselves part of a new autonomous province.
independent
a fully independent state
democratic
The country eventually returned to democratic rule.
sovereign
a sovereign nation with its own languages and cultures
self-ruling
self-governing
a self-governing province
emancipated
West was the only daughter of an emancipated slave.
self-determining
autarchic
10 (adjective)
a confidential but free manner
Synonyms
relaxed
Try to adopt a more relaxed manner.
open
easy
She laughed and joked and made easy conversation with everyone.
forward
natural
Jan's sister was as natural and friendly as the rest of the family.
frank
They had a frank discussion about the issue.
liberal
a liberal translation
familiar
the comfortable, familiar atmosphere
loose
casual
I bought casual clothes for the weekend.
informal
The house has an informal atmosphere.
spontaneous
I joined in the spontaneous applause.
laid-back (informal)
Everyone here has a really laid-back attitude.
easy-going (informal)
They have a very easy-going attitude to life.
lax
uninhibited
a commanding and uninhibited entertainer
unforced
free and easy
She had a free and easy approach.
unbidden
uncensored mental images and unbidden thoughts
unconstrained
unceremonious
Opposites
official
,
formal
,
stiff
,
constrained
,
unnatural
11 (adjective)
Definition
without obstruction or blockage
They have to ensure the free flow of traffic.
Synonyms
unencumbered
open
The emergency services will do their best to keep the highway open.
clear
All exits must be kept clear in case of fire.
unrestricted
Nearly all seats have an unrestricted view.
unobstructed
(adverb)
Definition
in a free manner
Two stubby legs swing free.
Synonyms
freely
You must allow the clubhead to swing freely.
easily
Wear clothes you can remove easily.
loosely
smoothly
idly
1 (verb)
Definition
to release or liberate
It will free us of a whole lot of debt.
Synonyms
clear
We called in a plumber to clear our blocked sink.
deliver
Mercifully, I was delivered from that pain.
disengage
cut loose
release
rescue
Helicopters rescued nearly 20 people.
rid
an attempt to rid the country of corruption
relieve
He felt relieved of a burden.
exempt
Companies with fewer than 55 employees would be exempted from these requirements.
undo
redeem
a new female spiritual force to redeem the world
ransom
The same system was used for ransoming or exchanging captives.
extricate
Emergency workers tried to extricate the survivors from the wreckage.
unburden
unshackle
2 (verb)
Definition
to release or liberate
They are going to free more prisoners.
Synonyms
release
He was released from custody the next day.
liberate
How committed is the leadership to liberating its people from poverty?
let out
set free
deliver
loose
discharge
You are being discharged on medical grounds.
unleash
Then he unleashed his own, unstoppable attack.
let go
untie
Nicholas untied the boat from her mooring.
emancipate
the war which preserved the Union and emancipated the slaves
unchain
turn loose
uncage
set at liberty
unfetter
disenthrall
unbridle
manumit
Opposites
limit
,
restrict
, confine,
restrain
,
inhibit
,
imprison
,
incarcerate
,
straiten
3 (verb)
Definition
to remove obstructions or impediments from
It took firefighters two hours to free us.
Synonyms
disentangle
They are looking at ways to disentangle him from this situation.
extricate
disengage
He gently disengaged himself from his sister's tearful embrace.
detach
Detach the bottom part from the form and keep it for reference.
separate
Police moved in to separate the two groups.
loose
He loosed his grip on the rifle.
unfold
unravel
He could unravel knots that others could not even attempt.
disconnect
He disconnected the bottle from the overhead hook.
untangle
trying to untangle several reels of film
untwist
unsnarl
phrases
See for free
idiom
See free and easy
See free of or from
Quotations
Free at last, Free at last Thank God Almighty I'm Free at last [Martin Luther King Jr. – Spiritual, quoted on his tomb]The free way of life proposes ends, but it does not prescribe means [Robert F. Kennedy – The Pursuit of Justice]I am condemned to be free [Jean-Paul Sartre – L'Être et le néant]The thoughts of a prisoner - they're not free either. They keep returning to the same things [Alexander Solzhenitsyn – One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich]
proverbs
The best things in life are freeThere's no such thing as a free lunch
Additional synonyms
in the sense of at large
Definition
(of a dangerous criminal or wild animal) out of captivity
The banks robber is still at large.
Synonyms
free,
roaming,
on the run,
fugitive,
at liberty,
on the loose,
unchained,
unconfined
in the sense of bountiful
Definition
giving freely
Their bountiful host was serving a variety of wonderful dishes.
Synonyms
generous,
kind,
princely,
liberal,
charitable,
hospitable,
prodigal,
open-handed,
unstinting,
beneficent,
bounteous,
munificent,
ungrudging
in the sense of casual
Definition
for informal wear
I bought casual clothes for the weekend.
Synonyms
informal,
leisure,
sporty,
non-dressy
Synonyms of 'free'
free
Explore 'free' in the dictionary
All related terms of 'free'
for free
without charge, for nothing, for love, on the house, at no cost