freeware

noun

free·​ware ˈfrē-ˌwer 

: software that is available for use at no cost or for a nominal usually voluntary fee

Examples of freeware in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Google's Chrome is a freeware release with deeper ties to Google's ecosystem, while Chromium, released at the same time as Chrome in 2008, is open source. — Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 9 Jan. 2025

The smoothest and fastest way to run such apps is with the freeware Wineskin Winery, as described in our guide to running Windows apps on a Mac. — Edward Mendelson, PCMAG, 6 Jan. 2025

The only desktop suite that's comparably modest in its feature set is the freeware OnlyOffice. — Edward Mendelson, PC Magazine, 17 June 2024

The majority of unsolicited freeware will clog your computer with junk files, give you malware or provide entryways for hackers. — Kim Komando, USA TODAY, 19 Sep. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1983, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

freeware

noun

free·​ware ˈfrē-ˌwa(ə)r 

-ˌwe(ə)r

: software available at no cost