freer freest
1
: not costing any money
They're giving out free tickets to the show.
The school newsletter is free.
free advice
free drinks/food
The tickets are free for the taking. [=anyone who wants one can take one]
The store is offering a calculator as a free gift. [=something that is given to people to help get new customers for a business]
2
a
: not held as a slave or prisoner
After 10 years in jail, he was finally a free man.
—often used after setAfter 10 years, they finally set him free.
b
: not physically held by something
The animal struggled to get free of/from the trap.
His legs became caught in the net, and he was unable to get himself free.
3
: able to do what you want to do : able to move, go, or act without being stopped
—followed by to + verb
You are free to leave.
You're (entirely) free to do whatever you want to do.
We were free to choose from among several options.
4
a
: not controlled by a harsh ruler or laws
He dreamed of a day when his people would be free.
a free society
I can say whatever I want to say. This is a free country.
b
: not limited by government control
free competition
free and democratic elections
free speech
5
a
: not limited by fear, uncertainty, etc. : open
a free expression of opinions
a free exchange of ideas
Children are often freer and more imaginative than adults in their writing.
b
: not limited in any way
Your password allows you to have free access to the system.
The ships were allowed free passage into and out of the port.
6
: not having, including, or suffering from something unpleasant, painful, or unwanted
—usually + from or of
free from worry/disease
The product is guaranteed to be free of/from major defects.
The speech was free of political rhetoric.
writing that is free of jargon
—sometimes used in combinationjargon-free writing
sugar-free chewing gum
After struggling with her addiction for many years, she is finally drug-free. [=she has finally stopped using drugs]
7
a
: not required to be doing something : having nothing that must be done instead
I'm free tomorrow night.
We're having a party next Saturday. Are you free?
b
of time
: not being used for work or other activities
Wednesday is her only free afternoon.
I wish I had more free time.
He spends a lot of his free time [=time when he is not working on his job] tinkering with his car.
8
a
: not being used
I'm going to call my mother as soon as the phone is free.
"Excuse me: is this seat free?" "I'm sorry: it's taken."
There's not enough free space on my computer's hard drive to install the software.
b
: not holding anything
He waved at us with his free hand.
c
: not attached to anything
She held onto the free end of the rope.
9
: not covered or filled with things : clear
We'll need a lot of free floor space for the dancing lesson.
The hallway should be kept free of clutter.
10
: giving, doing, or saying something very often
He seems to be very free about giving people his advice. = He seems to be very free with his advice. = [=he seems to give his advice very often, even when it is not wanted]
She's very free with her money. = She's a free spender. [=she spends her money freely; she spends a lot of money without worrying about trying to save it]
(chiefly Brit) He had a habit of making free with other people's money. [=of using other people's money freely]
11
of a translation
: not closely following or matching the original language : not exact
This is a very free [=loose] translation of the original poem.
1
: in a free way
The gate opened, and the animals ran free.
2
: without charge : at no cost
Children will be admitted free. [=for free]
Buy one, get one free.
frees; freed; freeing
: to cause (someone or something) to be free: such as
a
: to release (a person or animal) from a prison, cage, etc.
The government has agreed to free all political prisoners (from jail).
The gunman freed two of the hostages.
The animals were freed from their cages.
b
: to release (someone or something) from being physically held or blocked
His legs became tangled in the net, and he was unable to free himself.
He was unable to free his legs from the net.
The animal struggled to free itself from the trap.
c
: to cause or allow (someone or something) to stop having or being affected by something unpleasant, painful, or unwanted
—+ from or of
He has struggled to free himself from debt.
The new road will help to free the city of traffic jams.
patients trying to free themselves from dependence on drugs
d
: to make (something) available for use
I'll see if I can free (up) some time on my schedule next week so that we can meet.
We need to delete more files to free (up) space on the computer's hard drive.
e
: to give more free time to (someone)
Hiring an assistant has freed him to spend more time with his family.
f
: to remove limits from (someone or something)
She encourages her students to free their imaginations.
Cite this Entry
“Free.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/free. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
