liberal arts
plural noun
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Why do we call the liberal arts "liberal"?
The liberal in liberal arts is not political. Its roots can be traced to the Latin word liber, meaning “free, unrestricted.” Our language took the term from the Latin liberales artes, which described the education given to members of the upper classes as well as to those with the full rights of a citizen; this education involved training in such subjects as grammar, logic, geometry, etc., as opposed to the education reserved for the lower classes, which involved mechanical or occupational skills. The phrase liberal arts has been part of our language for a very long time, with use dating back to the 14th century.
Examples of liberal arts in a Sentence
Ryan Anderson, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2025
During Duval’s time at the school, Elon was well-known regionally, largely branded around its focus on well-rounded liberal arts education for undergraduates.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2025
This edge isn’t gained at the expense of the liberal arts.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
And as sticker prices tick up, enrollment at many private liberal arts colleges is on the sharp decline.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for liberal arts
Cite this Entry
“Liberal arts.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liberal%20arts. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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