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
Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
The popular rankings break down by best national colleges, liberal arts schools and more.
—Rachel Wegner, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Sep. 2025
Kenyon College: No. 45 in national liberal arts colleges (tie).
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Sep. 2025
Prestigious universities may see an influx of highly qualified applicants as regional institutions and private liberal arts colleges struggle to fill seats, as families aim for a greater return on investment, and as competitive students try to take advantage of the smaller applicant pools.
—Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Liberal arts.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liberal%20arts. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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