free

²free

verb

freedfree·ing

Definition of FREE

transitive verb

1

a : to cause to be free b : to relieve or rid of what restrains, confines, restricts, or embarrasses <free a person from debt> —often used with up <free up space on the hard drive> c : disentangle, clear

2

obsolete : banish

— fre·er noun

Examples of FREE

1. The gunman freed two of the hostages.
2. The animals were freed from their cages.
3. His legs became tangled in the net, and he was unable to free himself.
4. He was unable to free his legs from the net.
5. The animal struggled to free itself from the trap.
6. Hiring an assistant has freed him to spend more time with his family.
7. She encourages her students to free their imaginations.

First Known Use of FREE

before 12th century

Related to FREE

Synonyms: discharge, disenthrall (also disenthral), emancipate, enfranchise, enlarge, liberate, loose, loosen, manumit, release, spring, unbind, uncage, unchain, unfetter, turn loose

Antonyms: bind, confine, enchain, fetter, restrain

Related Words: bail (out), deliver, parole, ransom, redeem, rescue, save; adrift, disembarrass, disencumber, disengage, disentangle, extricate; unshackle

Near Antonyms: handcuff, manacle, shackle, trammel; commit, immure, imprison, incarcerate, intern, jail, lock (up); conquer, enslave, subdue, subjugate

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Synonym Discussion of FREE

free, release, liberate, emancipate, manumit mean to set loose from restraint or constraint. free implies a usually permanent removal from whatever binds, confines, entangles, or oppresses <freed the animals from their cages>. release suggests a setting loose from confinement, restraint, or a state of pressure or tension, often without implication of permanent liberation <released his anger on a punching bag>. liberate stresses particularly the resulting state of liberty <liberated their country from the tyrant>. emancipate implies the liberation of a person from subjection or domination <labor-saving devices emancipated us from household drudgery>. manumit implies emancipation from slavery <the document manumitted the slaves>.