- Main Entry:
- 1lib·er·al
- Pronunciation:
-
\ˈli-b(ə-)rəl\
- Function:
- adjective
- Etymology:
- Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin liberalis suitable for a freeman, generous, from liber free; perhaps akin to Old English lēodan to grow, Greek eleutheros free
- Date:
- 14th century
1 a: of, relating to, or based on the liberal arts <liberal education> barchaic : of or befitting a man of free birth2 a: marked by generosity : openhanded <a liberal giver> b: given or provided in a generous and openhanded way <a liberal meal> c: ample, full3obsolete : lacking moral restraint : licentious4: not literal or strict : loose <a liberal translation>5: broad-minded; especially : not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms6 a: of, favoring, or based upon the principles of liberalism bcapitalized : of or constituting a political party advocating or associated with the principles of political liberalism; especially : of or constituting a political party in the United Kingdom associated with ideals of individual especially economic freedom, greater individual participation in government, and constitutional, political, and administrative reforms designed to secure these objectives
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lib·er·al·ly \-b(ə-)rə-lē\ adverb — lib·er·al·ness noun
synonyms liberal,
generous,
bountiful,
munificent mean giving or given freely and unstintingly.
liberal suggests openhandedness in the giver and largeness in the thing or amount given
<a teacher liberal with her praise>.
generous stresses warmhearted readiness to give more than size or importance of the gift
<a generous offer of help>.
bountiful suggests lavish, unremitting giving or providing
<children spoiled by bountiful presents>.
munificent suggests a scale of giving appropriate to lords or princes
<a munificent foundation grant>.
