Free Definition and Meaning
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Published on March 6, 2024
Free means not under the control or in the power of another; able to act or be done as one wishes. e.g., She felt free after quitting her restrictive job.
Table of Contents
Free Definitions
Not bound by traditional ways or beliefs; open-minded.
His free thinking was appreciated in the brainstorming sessions.
Not or no longer confined, imprisoned, or enslaved.
The bird was free once the cage was opened.
Provided without, or not subject to, a charge or payment.
The museum offers free admission on Sundays.
Not limited or restricted in terms of number, quantity, or extent.
The app allows free access to all its features.
(of a state or facility) Available for use by everyone or not occupied.
The parking space was free after 6 p.m.
Unobstructed, clear, or not attached to anything.
The path was free of debris after the cleanup.
Given or available without legal, financial, or other obligations.
She received a scholarship for a free ride through college.
Relaxed or unrestrained in style or manner.
He had a free and easy way about him that put others at ease.
Liberated from something undesirable or restrictive.
The country was free from invaders after the war.
Not imprisoned or confined
Walked out of prison a free man.
Set the birds free.
Not controlled by obligation or the will of another
Felt free to go.
Not controlled by another country or political power; independent
A free nation.
Governed by consent and possessing or granting civil liberties
A free citizenry.
Not subject to arbitrary interference by a government
A free press.
Not enslaved.
Not affected or restricted by a given condition or circumstance
A healthy animal, free of disease.
People free from need.
Not subject to a given condition; exempt
Income that is free of all taxes.
Not bound by convention or the rules of form
A free artistic style.
Not literal or exact
A free translation.
Costing nothing; gratuitous
A free meal.
Publicly supported
Free education.
Unobstructed; clear
A free lane on the highway.
Not occupied or used
A free locker.
Free energy.
Not taken up by scheduled activities
Free time between classes.
Immoderate in giving or spending; liberal or lavish
Tourists who are free with their money.
Frank or unguarded in expression or manner; open or outspoken
She is very free with her opinions.
Given, made, or done of one's own accord; voluntary or spontaneous
A free act of the will.
Free choices.
Unconstrained; unconfined
Free expansion.
Not fixed in position; capable of relatively unrestricted motion
A free electron.
Not chemically bound in a molecule
Free oxygen.
Involving no collisions or interactions
A free path.
Empty or unoccupied
A free space.
An atom with a free energy level.
(Nautical) Favorable
A free wind.
Not bound, fastened, or attached
The free end of a chain.
Being a form, especially a morpheme, that can stand as an independent word, such as boat or bring.
Being a vowel in an open syllable, as the o in go.
In a free manner; without restraint.
Without charge.
To make free, as from confinement or oppression
Freed the slaves.
To relieve of a burden, obligation, or restraint
A people who were at last freed from fear.
To remove obstructions or entanglements from; clear
Free a path through the jungle.
To make available
Canceling the program freed up money for the new library.
Freestyle.
(social) Unconstrained.
He was given free rein to do whatever he wanted.
Not imprisoned or enslaved.
A free man
Unconstrained by timidity or distrust
Generous; liberal.
He's very free with his money.
(obsolete) Clear of offence or crime; guiltless; innocent.
Without obligations.
Free time
Thrown open, or made accessible, to all; to be enjoyed without limitations; unrestricted; not obstructed, engrossed, or appropriated; open; said of a thing to be possessed or enjoyed.
A free school
Not arbitrary or despotic; assuring liberty; defending individual rights against encroachment by any person or class; instituted by a free people; said of a government, institutions, etc.
This is a free country.
(software) With no or only freedom-preserving limitations on distribution or modification.
OpenOffice is free software.
(software) Intended for release, as opposed to a checked version.
Obtainable without any payment.
The government provides free health care.
It's free real estate.
Complimentary
Buy a TV to get a free DVD player!
(abstract) Unconstrained.
(mathematics) Unconstrained by relators.
The free group on three generators
Unconstrained by quantifiers.
is the free variable in .
(programming) Unconstrained of identifiers, not bound.
(linguistics) of a morpheme That can be used by itself, unattached to another morpheme.
(physical) Unconstrained.
Unobstructed, without blockages.
The drain was free
Unattached or uncombined.
A free radical
Not currently in use; not taken; unoccupied.
You can sit on this chair; it's free.
Not attached; loose.
In this group of mushrooms, the gills are free.
(military) Of a rocket or missile: not under the control of a guidance system after being launched.
Without; not containing (what is specified); exempt; clear; liberated.
We had a wholesome, filling meal, free of meat.
I would like to live free from care in the mountains.
(dated) Ready; eager; acting without spurring or whipping; spirited.
A free horse
(dated) Invested with a particular freedom or franchise; enjoying certain immunities or privileges; admitted to special rights; followed by of.
Certain or honourable; the opposite of base.
Free service;
Free socage
(legal) Privileged or individual; the opposite of common.
A free fishery;
A free warren
Without needing to pay.
I got this bike free.
(obsolete) Freely; willingly.
(transitive) To make free; set at liberty; release.
(transitive) To rid of something that confines or oppresses.
To relinquish (previously allocated memory) to the system.
Abbreviation of free kick
(association football) A free transfer.
(hurling) The usual means of restarting play after a foul is committed, where the non-offending team restarts from where the foul was committed.
Abbreviation of freestyle
The team won the 200 meters free relay.
Exempt from subjection to the will of others; not under restraint, control, or compulsion; able to follow one's own impulses, desires, or inclinations; determining one's own course of action; not dependent; at liberty.
That which has the power, or not the power, to operate, is that alone which is or is not free.
Not under an arbitrary or despotic government; subject only to fixed laws regularly and fairly administered, and defended by them from encroachments upon natural or acquired rights; enjoying political liberty.
Liberated, by arriving at a certain age, from the control of parents, guardian, or master.
Not confined or imprisoned; released from arrest; liberated; at liberty to go.
Set an unhappy prisoner free.
Not subjected to the laws of physical necessity; capable of voluntary activity; endowed with moral liberty; - said of the will.
Not free, what proof could they have given sincereOf true allegiance, constant faith, or love.
Clear of offense or crime; guiltless; innocent.
My hands are guilty, but my heart is free.
Unconstrained by timidity or distrust; unreserved; ingenuous; frank; familiar; communicative.
He was free only with a few.
Unrestrained; immoderate; lavish; licentious; - used in a bad sense.
The critics have been very free in their censures.
A man may live a free life as to wine or women.
Not close or parsimonious; liberal; open-handed; lavish; as, free with his money.
Exempt; clear; released; liberated; not encumbered or troubled with; as, free from pain; free from a burden; - followed by from, or, rarely, by of.
Princes declaring themselves free from the obligations of their treaties.
Characteristic of one acting without restraint; charming; easy.
Ready; eager; acting without spurring or whipping; spirited; as, a free horse.
Invested with a particular freedom or franchise; enjoying certain immunities or privileges; admitted to special rights; - followed by of.
He therefore makes all birds, of every sect,Free of his farm.
Thrown open, or made accessible, to all; to be enjoyed without limitations; unrestricted; not obstructed, engrossed, or appropriated; open; - said of a thing to be possessed or enjoyed; as, a free school.
Why, sir, I pray, are not the streets as freeFor me as for you?
Not gained by importunity or purchase; gratuitous; spontaneous; as, free admission; a free gift.
Not arbitrary or despotic; assuring liberty; defending individual rights against encroachment by any person or class; instituted by a free people; - said of a government, institutions, etc.
Certain or honorable; the opposite of base; as, free service; free socage.
Privileged or individual; the opposite of common; as, a free fishery; a free warren.
Not united or combined with anything else; separated; dissevered; unattached; at liberty to escape; as, free carbonic acid gas; free cells.
Freely; willingly.
I as free forgive youAs I would be forgiven.
Without charge; as, children admitted free.
To make free; to set at liberty; to rid of that which confines, limits, embarrasses, oppresses, etc.; to release; to disengage; to clear; - followed by from, and sometimes by off; as, to free a captive or a slave; to be freed of these inconveniences.
Our land is from the rage of tigers freed.
Arise, . . . free thy people from their yoke.
To remove, as something that confines or bars; to relieve from the constraint of.
This master keyFrees every lock, and leads us to his person.
To frank.
People who are free;
The home of the free and the brave
Grant freedom to; free from confinement
Relieve from;
Rid the the house of pests
Remove or force out from a position;
The dentist dislodged the piece of food that had been stuck under my gums
He finally could free the legs of the earthquake victim who was buried in the rubble
Grant relief or an exemption from a rule or requirement to;
She exempted me from the exam
Make (information) available publication;
Release the list with the names of the prisoners
Free from obligations or duties
Free or remove obstruction from;
Free a path across the cluttered floor
Let off the hook;
I absolve you from this responsibility
Part with a possession or right;
I am relinquishing my bedroom to the long-term house guest
Resign a claim to the throne
Make (assets) available;
Release the holdings in the dictator's bank account
Able to act at will; not hampered; not under compulsion or restraint;
Free enterprise
A free port
A free country
I have an hour free
Free will
Free of racism
Feel free to stay as long as you wish
A free choice
Unconstrained or not chemically bound in a molecule or not fixed and capable of relatively unrestricted motion;
Free expansion
Free oxygen
A free electron
Costing nothing;
Complimentary tickets
Not occupied or in use;
A free locker
A free lane
Not fixed in position;
The detached shutter fell on him
He pulled his arm free and ran
Not held in servitude;
After the Civil War he was a free man
Not taken up by scheduled activities;
A free hour between classes
Spare time on my hands
Not literal;
A loose interpretation of what she had been told
A free translation of the poem
Without restraint;
Cows in India are running loose
Free Snonyms
Unbind
To free from bindings or constraints.
She unbound her hair, letting it fall freely.
Unfetter
To release from restraint or inhibition.
The artist unfettered his imagination.
Emancipate
To set free, especially from legal, social, or political restrictions.
The slaves were emancipated after the civil war.
Discharge
To allow (someone) to leave a place, especially a hospital or a law enforcement or military service; to set free.
The patient was discharged from the hospital.
Exempt
Free from an obligation or liability imposed on others.
They were exempt from paying the tax.
Unleash
To release from a leash or constraint.
They unleashed the dog in the park.
Untether
To release from a tether or restraint.
She untethered her heart from past regrets.
Unshackle
To unchain, set free from shackles.
The reforms unshackled the industry from state control.
Release
To allow or enable to escape from confinement; set free.
The animals were released back into the wild.
Liberate
To set someone free from a situation, especially imprisonment or slavery, where their liberty is severely restricted.
The prisoners were liberated by the advancing army.
Free Idioms & Phrases
For free
Without cost or payment.
They were giving out samples for free at the mall.
Free of charge
Provided without requiring payment.
The repair work was done free of charge as a courtesy.
Footloose and fancy-free
Without responsibilities or attachments.
She lived a footloose and fancy-free lifestyle in her youth.
Set free
To release from confinement or control.
The animals were set free into the wild.
Free and easy
Relaxed and casual in manner.
Their free and easy approach to life was enviable.
Get off scot-free
To escape punishment or consequences.
Despite the mischief, he got off scot-free.
Free as a bird
Completely free and unencumbered.
After quitting his job, he felt as free as a bird.
Free rein
The freedom to act as one wishes.
The manager gave her team free rein on the project.
Free agent
Someone who is free to make their own decisions or contracts, especially in professional sports.
After his contract ended, he became a free agent.
Free spirit
Someone who lives by their own wishes and is not constrained by societal norms.
His brother was a true free spirit, traveling without a set plan.
Free up
To make something available by removing obstructions or commitments.
I need to free up some time in my schedule for the meeting.
Free hand
The freedom to do something the way one wants.
She was given a free hand in designing the new line.
Free fall
In a rapid and uncontrollable decline.
The stock was in free fall after the scandal.
Free-for-all
A disorganized or unrestricted situation or event.
The debate turned into a free-for-all, with everyone talking at once.
There's no such thing as a free lunch
Everything comes with a cost, even if it's not obvious.
He learned the hard way that there's no such thing as a free lunch.
Free Example Sentences
After years of struggle, the nation was finally free.
Many online courses are available for free to students worldwide.
She enjoyed the free time she had to pursue her hobbies.
Is this seat free, or is someone sitting here?
The event offered free samples of the new product to visitors.
They fought hard to keep their community free of pollution.
He worked hard to keep his schedule free for the weekend.
She led a free life, traveling wherever her heart desired.
The children ran free in the park, enjoying the sunny day.
The artist's free expression was evident in every brushstroke.
The road was finally free of traffic, and they made good time.
Her free spirit was infectious, inspiring creativity in others.
The garden was a free space where everyone could plant.
He admired her free-flowing writing style, full of imagination and wit.
They offered free delivery for orders over $50.
Common Curiosities
Why is it called free?
"Free" comes from the Old English "frēo," meaning not in bondage or not enslaved, reflecting the state of being unconfined or unrestricted.
How is free used in a sentence?
Free can describe a state of liberty or lack of cost, e.g., The app is free to download.
What is the first form of free?
The first form is "free," used for the present tense.
What is a stressed syllable in free?
The entire word free is stressed, as it contains only one syllable.
What is the second form of free?
The second form is "freed," used for the past tense.
How do we divide free into syllables?
Free is a single-syllable word and is not divided.
What is the verb form of free?
The verb form is "free," with its variations being "frees," "freeing," and "freed" for different tenses.
What is the pronunciation of free?
Free is pronounced as /friː/.
How many syllables are in free?
Free has one syllable.
What is the third form of free?
The third form is "freed," used for the past participle.
What is the singular form of free?
Free does not change form between singular and plural as an adjective. As a verb, "frees" would be the singular form, e.g., "He frees."
Is free an abstract noun?
No, free is not typically used as a noun; it is an adjective or a verb.
Is free a noun or adjective?
Free is primarily an adjective but can also be used as a verb.
What is the root word of free?
The root word of free is the Old English "frēo."
What is another term for free?
Another term for free could be "liberated" or "complimentary," depending on the context.
Is free a vowel or consonant?
The word "free" starts with a consonant.
Is free a countable noun?
Free is not primarily used as a noun; it is an adjective or a verb.
Is the word “free” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
In a sentence, "free" would be the verb, and the entity being liberated would be the direct object.
Is the word free imperative?
Free can be used in the imperative form as a command, e.g., "Free the prisoners."
Which conjunction is used with free?
Conjunctions like "and" or "but" can be used with free when connecting clauses or phrases.
What part of speech is free?
Free can be an adjective, describing a state or condition, or a verb, referring to the act of liberating or making available.
Is free an adverb?
No, free is not an adverb.
Is free a collective noun?
No, free is not a collective noun.
Which preposition is used with free?
Prepositions such as "from" (free from constraints) and "of" (free of charge) can be used with free.
Which article is used with free?
Articles like "the" or "a" can be used with nouns that free modifies, not with free itself.
What is the plural form of free?
As an adjective, free does not have a plural form. As a verb, the base form "free" is used for the plural, e.g., "They free."
What is the opposite of free?
The opposite of free could be "enslaved," "imprisoned," or "costly," depending on the context.
Is free a negative or positive word?
Free is generally positive, implying liberation, absence of cost, or availability, but context can affect its connotation.
Is the free term a metaphor?
Free can be used metaphorically to describe feelings of liberation or lack of constraints.
Is the word free a Gerund?
When used as "freeing," it functions as a gerund.
Which determiner is used with free?
Determiners like "the" or "a" can be used with the object associated with the action of freeing, not with free itself.
Which vowel is used before free?
The vowel "e" is used in free.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
