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 Web
Shane O’Neill, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2026
Both emphasized the importance of documenting prompts and maintaining stylistic consistency across teams of freelance AI artists.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2026
Marc worked for the City of Pomona and also did freelance social media work, according to his father.
—Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2026
Jessica Klein, PC Magazine, 11 Apr. 2026
Lauren Warnecke is a freelance critic.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for freelance
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Adjective
Smith was a freelance stylist for several years, including a stint working with celebrity stylist Karla Welch.
—Shane O’Neill, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2026
Both emphasized the importance of documenting prompts and maintaining stylistic consistency across teams of freelance AI artists.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
Skip sessions, or freelance your own schedule, and expectations need to be adjusted accordingly.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2026
Marc worked for the City of Pomona and also did freelance social media work, according to his father.
—Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
To gain access, the hackers pose as recruiters seeking contractors for those companies and therefore possess their credentials (which the scammers can obtain with Omnistealer), or as freelance developers seeking to be hired themselves.
—Jessica Klein, PC Magazine, 11 Apr. 2026
Lauren Warnecke is a freelance critic.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for freelance
Cite this Entry
“Freelance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freelance. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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