freestyle
noun
free·style
ˈfrē-ˌstī(-ə)l 
often attributive
1
: a competition in which the contestant is given more latitude than in related events
especially
: a swimming competition in which the swimmer may use any stroke
2
freestyler
noun
Examples of freestyle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For the final time, each couple danced twice: a freestyle and a redemption dance, redoing a routine from earlier in the season.
—
Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 7 Dec. 2023
During the finale, each pair danced twice — a redemption dance, redoing one of their routines from earlier in the season, and a freestyle.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 6 Dec. 2023
While skiers can wear any type of helmet for freestyle and park skiing, many riders prefer a skate-style, durable ABS hardshell helmet.
—Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 22 Nov. 2023
Pitchfork writer Alphonse Pierre’s rap column covers songs, mixtapes, albums, Instagram freestyles, memes, weird tweets, fashion trends—and anything else that catches his attention.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2023
When the early days of her career are recalled, spanning on-the-street freestyles and viral videos, there’s an air of excitement that seems to dissipate the further the rapper gets to the top.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2023
In his highs, Jimin, a lifelong dancer, instinctively breaks out into freestyles to the tracks.
—Mackenzie Schmidt, Peoplemag, 24 Oct. 2023
Cail won gold at the 1997 Pan Pacific Championships as a member of the US women’s 4x200-meter freestyle relay, according to FINA, the international governing body of swimming.
—Steve Almasy, CNN, 28 Aug. 2023
Between a rumors of joint album from Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign, several revelations from Jada Pinkett Smith’s memoir, and a surprise freestyle from Drake’s son, Adonis, the hip-hop world has been in a tizzy for the past week.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2023
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Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 7 Dec. 2023
During the finale, each pair danced twice — a redemption dance, redoing one of their routines from earlier in the season, and a freestyle.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 6 Dec. 2023
While skiers can wear any type of helmet for freestyle and park skiing, many riders prefer a skate-style, durable ABS hardshell helmet.
—Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 22 Nov. 2023
Pitchfork writer Alphonse Pierre’s rap column covers songs, mixtapes, albums, Instagram freestyles, memes, weird tweets, fashion trends—and anything else that catches his attention.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2023
When the early days of her career are recalled, spanning on-the-street freestyles and viral videos, there’s an air of excitement that seems to dissipate the further the rapper gets to the top.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2023
In his highs, Jimin, a lifelong dancer, instinctively breaks out into freestyles to the tracks.
—Mackenzie Schmidt, Peoplemag, 24 Oct. 2023
Cail won gold at the 1997 Pan Pacific Championships as a member of the US women’s 4x200-meter freestyle relay, according to FINA, the international governing body of swimming.
—Steve Almasy, CNN, 28 Aug. 2023
Between a rumors of joint album from Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign, several revelations from Jada Pinkett Smith’s memoir, and a surprise freestyle from Drake’s son, Adonis, the hip-hop world has been in a tizzy for the past week.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'freestyle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1913, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near freestyle
Cite this Entry
“Freestyle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freestyle. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
freestyle
noun
free·style
-ˌstīl
: a competition (as a swimming race) in which the competitors are not restricted to a certain way of performing
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