free·lance
ˈfrē-ˌlan(t)s 
1
a
: of, relating to, or being a freelancer : independent
a freelance writer/photographer
freelance careers
working on a freelance basis
b
: done by a freelancer
freelance writing/photography
2
: not sponsored by or affiliated with an organization or authority
a freelance army
The Seoul government reacted sternly to [Sun Myung] Moon's freelance diplomacy, accusing him of "causing a split in national opinion."—
Paul Blustein
Paul Blustein
freelance
adverb
freelanced; freelancing; freelances
: to act or work as a freelancer
She freelances for a local newspaper.
… after graduating from the Philadelphia College of Art, he [John Mecray] freelanced as an illustrator and taught drawing classes at his alma mater.—Nautical World
Nautical World
: to produce as a freelancer
For a while, as he looked about for another book subject, Mr. [Tracy] Kidder freelanced articles for the Atlantic Monthly magazine.—Edwin McDowell
Edwin McDowell
plural freelances
1
: a person who pursues a profession without a long-term commitment to any one employer : freelancer
… the 42-year-old writer, who is now working on a book about Evelyn Waugh and his circle, described himself as a full-time freelance.—Herbert Mitgang
Herbert Mitgang2
usually free lance plural free lances
a
: a mercenary soldier especially of the Middle Ages : condottiere
b
: a person who acts independently without being affiliated with or authorized by an organization (such as a political party)
ran for office as a political free lance
"Have you been making your addresses as a free lance or under the auspices of the Speakers' Bureau … ?" she was asked.—Edwin L. James
Edwin L. JamesExamples of freelance in a Sentence
Adjective
I wrote a freelance article for a nature magazine.
Recent Examples on the WebLindy Segal, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2024
Madison Lambert Madison Lambert is a freelance assignment editor at NBC News.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 24 Mar. 2024
Companies can consider moving away from hiring full-time employees to instead hire people on a freelance basis or leverage overseas talent.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
Yet the freelance cannabis couriers already streaming on city streets easily dwarf the number of dispensaries.
—Peter Hecht, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2024
At the Cut, a freelance financial-advice columnist named Charlotte Cowles weaves a story of credulousness and incompetence that is so absurd as to be nigh-on impossible to believe.
—Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 17 Feb. 2024
As a freelance visual journalist, his work has been featured in several publications before joining The Times.
—Jason Armond, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2024
Cojocaru, 42, who has been freelance since 2020, has produced programs in London, New York and Japan and danced as a principal guest artist with the Hamburg Ballet.
—Roslyn Sulcas, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2024
Arnav Jain Arnav Jain is a freelance associate producer for the TODAY Show based in London.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 28 Sep. 2023
Sho Dewan, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Recognized as a leading portrait paparazzo, Armstrong-Jones also freelanced in the dog-eat-dog world of Fleet Street newspapers.
—Bill McGraw, Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2024
Among freelance leaders, there is broad belief that government policies are generally unhelpful to freelancing.
—Jon Younger, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Workplace author and Bloomberg columnist Julia Hobsbawm thinks flexibility has become a permanent desire for workers, and companies who fail to provide it will lose their employees to freelancing.
—Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 21 Dec. 2023
The financial freedom of freelancing is a big factor, too.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 28 Feb. 2024
Justin Hartley makes for a likable lead as Colter Shaw, a dreamy outdoors loner freelancing his survivalist instinct services to two endearing dog-loving bosses and couple (Robin Weigert and Abby McEnany).
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2024
Use platforms like Upwork or Fiverr for affordable freelancing talent.
—Virginia H, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
About 70% of Gen Z workers plan to freelance now or in the future—as layoffs surge and AI job-replacement looms, many are shifting away from traditional employment.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 29 Feb. 2024
Alida Nugent, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
Robert James is a full-time freelance writer and editor specializing in the health niche and its ever-expanding sub-niches.
—Robert James and, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024
Betty Cahill is a freelance writer who speaks and writes about gardening in the Rocky Mountain Region.
—Betty Cahill, The Denver Post, 7 Apr. 2024
Returning to the Bay Area, Ms. Coleman established herself as a freelance writer and radio producer.
—Clay Risen, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024
And in one of those videos, shot by a freelance journalist, the man in the black hoodie and the woman with the gray fur collar push into the Capitol itself.
—USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2024
Some workers might opt for contract or freelance work to pursue their passions or have more flexibility.
—Allison Arzeno, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Courier Journal freelance reporter Lennie Omalza contributed to this report.
—The Courier-Journal, 28 Mar. 2024
The author is a freelance writer and lifestyle journalist.
—Natalie Arroyo Camacho, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Lindy Segal is a freelance lifestyle writer and editor whose work has appeared in Harper’s Bazaar, Fast Company, InStyle, and others.
—Lindy Segal, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2024
Madison Lambert Madison Lambert is a freelance assignment editor at NBC News.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 24 Mar. 2024
Companies can consider moving away from hiring full-time employees to instead hire people on a freelance basis or leverage overseas talent.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
Yet the freelance cannabis couriers already streaming on city streets easily dwarf the number of dispensaries.
—Peter Hecht, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2024
At the Cut, a freelance financial-advice columnist named Charlotte Cowles weaves a story of credulousness and incompetence that is so absurd as to be nigh-on impossible to believe.
—Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 17 Feb. 2024
As a freelance visual journalist, his work has been featured in several publications before joining The Times.
—Jason Armond, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2024
Cojocaru, 42, who has been freelance since 2020, has produced programs in London, New York and Japan and danced as a principal guest artist with the Hamburg Ballet.
—Roslyn Sulcas, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2024
Arnav Jain Arnav Jain is a freelance associate producer for the TODAY Show based in London.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 28 Sep. 2023
Verb
There is no one correct way to start your freelancing journey.
—Sho Dewan, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Recognized as a leading portrait paparazzo, Armstrong-Jones also freelanced in the dog-eat-dog world of Fleet Street newspapers.
—Bill McGraw, Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2024
Among freelance leaders, there is broad belief that government policies are generally unhelpful to freelancing.
—Jon Younger, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Workplace author and Bloomberg columnist Julia Hobsbawm thinks flexibility has become a permanent desire for workers, and companies who fail to provide it will lose their employees to freelancing.
—Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 21 Dec. 2023
The financial freedom of freelancing is a big factor, too.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 28 Feb. 2024
Justin Hartley makes for a likable lead as Colter Shaw, a dreamy outdoors loner freelancing his survivalist instinct services to two endearing dog-loving bosses and couple (Robin Weigert and Abby McEnany).
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2024
Use platforms like Upwork or Fiverr for affordable freelancing talent.
—Virginia H, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
About 70% of Gen Z workers plan to freelance now or in the future—as layoffs surge and AI job-replacement looms, many are shifting away from traditional employment.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 29 Feb. 2024
Noun
Take Our Word For It is a freelance writer who has written for numerous outlets, such as Better Homes & Gardens, Food Network, and HGTV.
—Alida Nugent, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
Robert James is a full-time freelance writer and editor specializing in the health niche and its ever-expanding sub-niches.
—Robert James and, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024
Betty Cahill is a freelance writer who speaks and writes about gardening in the Rocky Mountain Region.
—Betty Cahill, The Denver Post, 7 Apr. 2024
Returning to the Bay Area, Ms. Coleman established herself as a freelance writer and radio producer.
—Clay Risen, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024
And in one of those videos, shot by a freelance journalist, the man in the black hoodie and the woman with the gray fur collar push into the Capitol itself.
—USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2024
Some workers might opt for contract or freelance work to pursue their passions or have more flexibility.
—Allison Arzeno, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Courier Journal freelance reporter Lennie Omalza contributed to this report.
—The Courier-Journal, 28 Mar. 2024
The author is a freelance writer and lifestyle journalist.
—Natalie Arroyo Camacho, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'freelance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near freelance
Cite this Entry
“Freelance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freelance. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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