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
Andrew Fennell, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Koffler is a freelance editorial writer, author and a strategic military intelligence analyst who formerly worked for the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, according to her Fox News bio.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 15 June 2025
Sam Lee, New York Times, 20 June 2025
That’s why more than half of the U.S. workforce (over 86 million professionals) will be freelancing by 2027.
—Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
Among those killed was a freelance journalist, Ismail Abu Hatab, according to other journalists at the scene.
—Kareem Khadder, CNN Money, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for freelance
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
While some are successfully negotiating raises, others are diving into freelance gigs or microbusinesses.
—Andrew Fennell, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Koffler is a freelance editorial writer, author and a strategic military intelligence analyst who formerly worked for the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, according to her Fox News bio.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 15 June 2025
Verb
The 2024-25 campaign will be his 10th following the club, having previously held other positions with Goal and the BBC, and freelancing in South America.
—Sam Lee, New York Times, 20 June 2025
That’s why more than half of the U.S. workforce (over 86 million professionals) will be freelancing by 2027.
—Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Noun
Karie Angell Luc is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
—Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
Among those killed was a freelance journalist, Ismail Abu Hatab, according to other journalists at the scene.
—Kareem Khadder, CNN Money, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for freelance
Cite this Entry
“Freelance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freelance. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share