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
Kayla Blanton, Outside Online, 4 Apr. 2025
Lindy Segal is a freelance lifestyle writer and editor whose work has appeared in Harper’s Bazaar, Fast Company, InStyle, and others.
—Lindy Segal, Glamour, 11 Apr. 2025
Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
With Jokić taking a few minutes to rest, the floor was a bit more open for Murray to freelance and make plays.
—Tony Jones, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Claudia Williams, Architectural Digest, 16 May 2025
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for freelance
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Adjective
Kayla Blanton is a freelance writer-editor who covers health, nutrition, and lifestyle topics for various publications including SELF, Prevention, Everyday Health, People, and more.
—Kayla Blanton, Outside Online, 4 Apr. 2025
Lindy Segal is a freelance lifestyle writer and editor whose work has appeared in Harper’s Bazaar, Fast Company, InStyle, and others.
—Lindy Segal, Glamour, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
About one in two American workers will be freelancing by 2027.
—Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
With Jokić taking a few minutes to rest, the floor was a bit more open for Murray to freelance and make plays.
—Tony Jones, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Noun
Claudia Williams is a freelance writer and storyteller based in Brooklyn, New York.
—Claudia Williams, Architectural Digest, 16 May 2025
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 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 22 May. 2025.
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