SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

libertine

noun lib·er·tine \ ˈli-bər-ˌtēn \

Definition of libertine

1 disparaging : a freethinker especially in religious matters

2 : a person who is unrestrained by convention or morality; specifically : one leading a dissolute life

libertines indulging a variety of amorous impulses
—Mel White

—

libertine

adjective

See libertine defined for English-language learners

See libertine defined for kids

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Examples of libertine in a Sentence

libertines of the royal court
the legend of Don Juan depicts him as a playboy and libertine

Did You Know?

The word libertine, which originally meant "freedman" when it appeared in 14th-century English, traces to the Latin libertus, a term that in Roman antiquity identified a slave who had been set free. By the late 1500s, "libertine" had been extended to religious and secular freethinkers; Shakespeare used it to refer to anyone who follows his or her own inclinations. By 1600, though, the term had come to imply that an individual was a little too unrestrained, especially in moral situations. And yes, the Latin root of "libertine" is "liber," the ultimate source of our word liberty.

Origin and Etymology of libertine

Middle English libertyn freedman, from Latin libertinus, from libertinus, adjective, of a freedman, from libertus freedman, from liber — see ¹liberal

First Known Use: 1577

in the meaning defined at sense 1

libertine Synonyms

Synonyms

backslider, debauchee, debaucher, decadent, degenerate, deviate, pervert, profligate, rake;

Near Antonyms

Related Words

bankrupt, delinquent, derelict, incorrigible;

blackguard, cad, heel, knave, miscreant, rascal, reprobate, rogue, scoundrel, villain;

lecher, playboy, playgirl, satyr;

LIBERTINE Defined for English Language Learners

libertine

noun

Definition of libertine for English Language Learners

: a person (especially a man) who leads an immoral life and is mainly interested in sexual pleasure

Learn More about libertine

See words that rhyme with libertine Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for libertine Spanish Central: Translation of libertine Nglish: Translation of libertine for Spanish speakers

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Examples: libertine in a Sentence

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