freer; freest
1
: not costing or charging anything
a free school
a free ticket
2
a
: having the legal and political rights of a citizen
For many African Americans, celebrating the Fourth of July as the day Americans became free from British rule feels inapplicable since our ancestors were not free.—
Christen A. Johnson
Christen A. Johnson
b
: enjoying civil and political liberty
free citizens
c
: enjoying political independence or freedom from outside domination
This is a free country.
d
: enjoying personal freedom : not subject to the control or domination of another
You are free to do whatever you want.
3
a
: not determined by anything beyond its own nature or being : choosing or capable of choosing for itself
a player free to negotiate a contract with any team
b
: determined by the choice of the actor or performer
free actions
c
: made, done, or given voluntarily or spontaneously
gave his free consent
4
a
: relieved from or lacking something and especially something unpleasant or burdensome
free from pain
a speech free of political rhetoric
—often used in combinationerror-free
b
: not bound, confined, or detained by force
The prisoner is now free.
5
a
: having no trade restrictions
duty-free imports
b
: not subject to government regulation
free competition
c
of foreign exchange
: not subject to restriction or official control
6
a
: having no obligations (as to work) or commitments
I'll be free this evening
b
: not taken up with commitments or obligations
a free evening
7
: having a scope not restricted by qualification
a free variable
8
a
: not obstructed, restricted, or impeded
free to leave
b
: not being used or occupied
waved with his free hand
c
: not hampered or restricted in its normal operation
9
a
: not fastened
the free end of the rope
b
: not confined to a particular position or place
in twelve-tone music, no note is wholly free for it must hold its place in the series—J. L. Stewart
J. L. Stewart
c
: capable of moving or turning in any direction
a free particle
d
: performed without apparatus
free tumbling
e
: done with artificial aids (such as pitons) used only for protection against falling and not for support
a free climb
10
a
: not parsimonious
free spending
b
: outspoken
is free in his criticism
c
: availing oneself of something without stint
she's very free with her money
e
: overly familiar or forward in action or attitude
a young man who had been much too free with the ladies of the town—Harvey Graham
Harvey Graham
f
: licentious
inexcusably free talk before the ladies
11
a(1)
: not united with, attached to, combined with, or mixed with something else : separate
free ores
a free surface of a bodily part
(2)
: freestanding
a free column
b
: chemically uncombined
free oxygen
free acids
c
: not permanently attached but able to move about
a free electron in a metal
d
: capable of being used alone as a meaningful linguistic form
the word hats is a free form
compare bound entry 1 sense 7
12
a
: not literal or exact
free translation
b
: not restricted by or conforming to conventional forms
free skating
13
: favorable
—used of a wind blowing from a direction more than six points from dead ahead
14
: not allowing slavery
was admitted to the Union as a free state
15
: open to all comers
that most pleasurable of Anglo-Saxon pastimes, a free fight—Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill1
: in a free manner
2
: without charge
3
: with the wind more than six points from dead ahead
sailing free
freed; freeing; frees
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 upfree up space on the hard drive
c
: disentangle, clear
2
obsolete
: banish
Did you know?
Can Something Be "For free?"
The word free is often encountered on the heels of the word for, and this combination sets some people’s teeth on edge. The main objection to the phrase for free is that, in this instance, free functions as an adverb rather than a noun and therefore should not be in the intimate company of the preposition for. Following this line of reasoning, a more correct phrasing would be to say that something is offered for nothing, for no charge, or some other combination of preposition + noun. Unfortunately for critics of the expression, English users do not agree. Despite its recent adoption in the mid-20th century and its informality, for free is in widespread use and is generally accepted in standard speech and writing.
Synonyms
Examples of free in a Sentence
Adjective
They're giving out free tickets to the show.
The school newsletter is free.
After 10 years in jail, he was finally a free man.
The animal struggled to get free of the trap.
His legs became caught in the net, and he was unable to get himself free.
Adverb
The gate opened, and the animals ran free.
Buy one, get one free.
Verb
The gunman freed two of the hostages.
The animals were freed from their cages.
His legs became tangled in the net, and he was unable to free himself.
He was unable to free his legs from the net.
The animal struggled to free itself from the trap.
Hiring an assistant has freed him to spend more time with his family.
She encourages her students to free their imaginations.
See More
Recent Examples on the WebIshaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 26 Sep. 2023
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 26 Sep. 2023
Naidoo has co-authored a free e-book for board directors called The Cyber Savvy Boardroom: Essentials Explained, which is available here.
—Rob Sloan, WSJ, 25 Sep. 2023
In addition to accessing the site’s vast streaming library, Prime members also get other perks, including free two-day shipping (sometimes even one-day shipping), access to exclusive deals during Prime Day and Black Friday, discounts to Whole Foods Market and more.
—Rudie Obias, Variety, 25 Sep. 2023
Dangerous notions—such as the value of liberal democracy, civil society, a free press, or an independent judiciary—have to be wiped out of public discourse, even at universities where they were once tolerated.
—Ian Buruma, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2023
The artist did his work for free — and cherished every moment.
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2023
For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.
—Kurt Knutsson, Fox News, 15 Sep. 2023
Subscribe to the Globe’s free real estate newsletter — our weekly digest on buying, selling, and design — at Boston.com/address-newsletter.
—BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2023
Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2023
Verlander helped Houston win the World Series for the second time in six seasons and won his third AL Cy Young Award before signing an $86.7 million, two-year contract with the free-spending Mets.
—San Francisco Chronicle, 14 Feb. 2023
Since late 2020, Xi’s administration has made clear its distaste for the free-wheeling capitalism that tech giants like Alibaba embodied.
—Anders Melin, Fortune, 17 Jan. 2023
But what came next was still to be expected — a year of free-falling.
—Curbed, 21 Dec. 2022
The art also depicted phalluses, free-standing or attached to human figures.
—Bybridget Alex, science.org, 7 Dec. 2022
Nearly all of its world map was a free-roaming open area, but the sections were still cordoned off from one another by way of a central hub town.
—Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 18 Nov. 2022
One particularly stunning route will take you to Bridal Veil Falls, the tallest free-falling waterfall in Colorado.
—Marissa Wolkenberg, Bon Appétit, 26 Sep. 2022
This year, Broward Health wants to expand by building a $25 million free-standing Emergency Room in Sunrise and by spending $6 million to lease and renovate a building across from its main hospital in Fort Lauderdale to move its executive offices and create multipurpose space.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2022
John Hudson, Washington Post, 27 Sep. 2023
The Browns had a build-around defensive star in edge rusher Myles Garrett and a good offensive line that freed up resources elsewhere.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Sep. 2023
After years of painstaking negotiations with Iran, secretly mediated by Persian Gulf nations, top aides to President Biden had finally struck a deal on June 6 that would free four Americans held in one of Iran’s most notorious prisons.
—Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2023
So with the help of Church and Trench, who show up just in time, the Expendables free the villagers and take on Vilain’s army.
—Richard Newby, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2023
Well, [Drew Boughton] was quoted at Comic Con saying that this was so wonderfully freeing.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Sep. 2023
There is something freeing and liberating in having the confidence to stand in your own truth.
—Kyler Alvord, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2023
But that frees up $6 billion in Iran’s $53 billion annual budget—effectively boosting it by 11%.
—Karl Vick, Time, 20 Sep. 2023
Amid the outcry, the girls were freed in September 1963.
—Randi Kaye, CNN, 17 Sep. 2023
See More
Adjective
Sign up to get the rest free, including news from around the globe and interesting ideas and opinions to know, sent to your inbox every weekday.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 26 Sep. 2023
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 26 Sep. 2023
Naidoo has co-authored a free e-book for board directors called The Cyber Savvy Boardroom: Essentials Explained, which is available here.
—Rob Sloan, WSJ, 25 Sep. 2023
In addition to accessing the site’s vast streaming library, Prime members also get other perks, including free two-day shipping (sometimes even one-day shipping), access to exclusive deals during Prime Day and Black Friday, discounts to Whole Foods Market and more.
—Rudie Obias, Variety, 25 Sep. 2023
Dangerous notions—such as the value of liberal democracy, civil society, a free press, or an independent judiciary—have to be wiped out of public discourse, even at universities where they were once tolerated.
—Ian Buruma, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2023
The artist did his work for free — and cherished every moment.
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2023
For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.
—Kurt Knutsson, Fox News, 15 Sep. 2023
Subscribe to the Globe’s free real estate newsletter — our weekly digest on buying, selling, and design — at Boston.com/address-newsletter.
—BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2023
Adverb
In 2020, the space agency awarded Axiom Space up to $140 million to make at least one module to attach to the ISS, which c ould eventually be part of a new free-flying station.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2023
Verlander helped Houston win the World Series for the second time in six seasons and won his third AL Cy Young Award before signing an $86.7 million, two-year contract with the free-spending Mets.
—San Francisco Chronicle, 14 Feb. 2023
Since late 2020, Xi’s administration has made clear its distaste for the free-wheeling capitalism that tech giants like Alibaba embodied.
—Anders Melin, Fortune, 17 Jan. 2023
But what came next was still to be expected — a year of free-falling.
—Curbed, 21 Dec. 2022
The art also depicted phalluses, free-standing or attached to human figures.
—Bybridget Alex, science.org, 7 Dec. 2022
Nearly all of its world map was a free-roaming open area, but the sections were still cordoned off from one another by way of a central hub town.
—Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 18 Nov. 2022
One particularly stunning route will take you to Bridal Veil Falls, the tallest free-falling waterfall in Colorado.
—Marissa Wolkenberg, Bon Appétit, 26 Sep. 2022
This year, Broward Health wants to expand by building a $25 million free-standing Emergency Room in Sunrise and by spending $6 million to lease and renovate a building across from its main hospital in Fort Lauderdale to move its executive offices and create multipurpose space.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2022
Verb
Biden’s request also included $8.5 billion for economic and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and $2.3 billion to free up more aid for Ukraine through the World Bank.
—John Hudson, Washington Post, 27 Sep. 2023
The Browns had a build-around defensive star in edge rusher Myles Garrett and a good offensive line that freed up resources elsewhere.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Sep. 2023
After years of painstaking negotiations with Iran, secretly mediated by Persian Gulf nations, top aides to President Biden had finally struck a deal on June 6 that would free four Americans held in one of Iran’s most notorious prisons.
—Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2023
So with the help of Church and Trench, who show up just in time, the Expendables free the villagers and take on Vilain’s army.
—Richard Newby, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2023
Well, [Drew Boughton] was quoted at Comic Con saying that this was so wonderfully freeing.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Sep. 2023
There is something freeing and liberating in having the confidence to stand in your own truth.
—Kyler Alvord, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2023
But that frees up $6 billion in Iran’s $53 billion annual budget—effectively boosting it by 11%.
—Karl Vick, Time, 20 Sep. 2023
Amid the outcry, the girls were freed in September 1963.
—Randi Kaye, CNN, 17 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'free.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective, Adverb, and Verb
Middle English, from Old English frēo; akin to Old High German frī free, Welsh rhydd, Sanskrit priya own, dear
First Known Use
Adjective
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a
Adverb
1559, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of free was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing free
Dictionary Entries Near free
Cite this Entry
“Free.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
free
1 of 3 adjective
freer
ˈfrē-ər
; freest
ˈfrē-əst
1
a
: having liberty : not being a slave
free citizens
b
: not controlled by others : independent
a free country
a free press
2
a
: released or not suffering from something unpleasant or painful
free from worry
free from disease
b
: not bound or contained by or as if by force
you are free to leave
3
: having nothing that must be done instead
I'm free tomorrow night
4
a
: not blocked : clear
free space
b
: not being used or occupied
free time
5
: not fastened
the free end of the rope
6
: not cheap : generous
a free spender
7
: not costing or charging anything
free tickets
8
: not held back by fear or distrust
free expression of opinion
9
: not combined with something else
free oxygen
10
: able to be used alone as a meaningful unit of language
the word "hats" is a free form
11
: not restricted by or limited to the usual forms
free skating
freely
adverb
free
2 of 3 verb
freed; freeing
: to make or set free
free
3 of 3 adverb1
: in a free manner
2
: without charge
Medical Definition
free
adjective
freer; freest
1
a
: relieved from or lacking something and especially something unpleasant or burdensome
free from pain
b
: not bound or confined by force
upon opening the skull a considerable amount of free blood is noted—H. G. Armstrong
H. G. Armstrong2
a(1)
: not united with, attached to, combined with, or mixed with something else
a free surface of a bodily part
(2)
: having the bare axon exposed in tissue
a free nerve ending
b
: not chemically combined
free calcium
c
: not permanently attached but able to move about
a free electron in a metal
3
: having all living connections severed before removal to another site
a free graft
research … in free flap transfers—B. R. Alford
B. R. Alford
Legal Definition
free
1 of 2 adjective1
a
: having the legal and political rights of a citizen
b
: enjoying civil and political liberty
a free people
c
: enjoying political independence or freedom from outside domination
these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent States—Declaration of Independence
Declaration of Independence
d
: not subject to the control or domination of another
2
: made or done as a matter of choice and right : not compelled or restricted
no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof—U.S. Constitution amend. I
U.S. Constitution amend. Ia free and voluntary confession
3
: relieved from or lacking a burden (as a lien or other encumbrance on title)
a buyer in ordinary course of business…takes free of a security interest created by the buyer's seller—Uniform Commercial Code
Uniform Commercial Code4
: not bound, confined, or detained by force
free on bail
5
a
: having no trade restrictions
b
: not subject to government regulation
c
of foreign exchange
: not subject to restriction or official control
6
: not costing or charging anything
freely
adverb
free
2 of 2 transitive verb
freed; freeing
1
: to cause to be free
2
: to relieve or rid of what constrains, confines, restricts, or burdens
More from Merriam-Webster on free
Nglish: Translation of free for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of free for Arabic Speakers
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