free spirit

noun

plural free spirits

: a person who thinks and acts in an uninhibited way without worrying about normal social rules : nonconformist

Their daughter is a real free spirit.

Von der Becke thinks of himself now as a free spirit: a sort of drug-free, hard-working hippie.

—Tim Cahill

Here was a man of extraordinary sensitivity, political acumen, spiritual power, and sexual wildness; a free spirit if ever there was one.

—Alice Walker

Ever the free spirit, he takes us with him to Brazil (not necessarily to do the Amazon, just to look around) …

—Mike Tribby

free-spirited

ˈfrē-ˈspir-ə-təd 

adjective

Synonyms of free spirit

• bohemian
• maverick
• lone ranger
• lone wolf
• enfant terrible

Examples of free spirit in a Sentence

Their daughter is a real free spirit.

an artistically inclined free spirit who felt alienated and stifled while growing up in a small town

Recent Examples on the Web

North West is a free spirit in fashion, no matter what anyone thinks. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025

Below, Bruni Tedeschi and Marcello speak to Variety about why Duse’s free spirit and non-conventional feminism, coupled with her talent, are so relevant today. —Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 11 Sep. 2025

For decades, Ibiza has been drawing free spirits, New Age wellness seekers, and party people who keep its clubs pulsing until dawn. —Siobhan Reid, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025

Pamela is a self-effacing free spirit whose honesty and abandonment cast a spell on the embittered Wendall. —Rance Collins, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above