Governmentenjoying personal rights or liberty:free from bondage.
Governmentexisting under, characterized by, or having civil and political liberties:the free nations of the world.
exempt from outside authority, interference, or restriction; independent:You have a free choice.
able to do something at will or as one wishes:[be + ~ + to + verb]They were free to go at any time.
clear of obstructions or obstacles; not blocked:a free flow of water.
without engagements or obligations:have free time after class.
not occupied or in use:The room is free now.
exempt or released; unburdened:She seems so free from worry.
provided without a charge:free parking.
loose; unattached:Tie the free end of the rope to the dock.
lacking self-restraint; loose:He was a little too free and easy toward women.
ready or generous in giving; not holding back:free spending.
not literal; not exact; loose:a free translation of the speech.
adv.
in a free manner; freely.
loose; no longer restrained or held back:The button came free and fell off.
v.
to set at liberty:[~ + object]The enemy freed the hostages.
to exempt or deliver:[~ + object + from + object]hoped his new invention would free his people from hunger.
to relieve or rid:[~ + object + of + object]to free oneself of responsibility.
to disengage; clear: [~ + object]If you hold these packages I can free my arm and open the door.[~ + object + from + object]freed the trapped victims from the wreckage.
free up:
[ ~ + up + obj] to release, as from restrictions:Can you free up some time to meet with us?
to disentangle: [ ~ + up + obj]:to free up this stuck valve.[ ~ + obj + up]:to free it up.
Idioms
Idiomsfor free, without charge:They mended my jacket for free.
free and clear, without any debt or restriction:paid off the mortgage free and clear.
Idiomsset free, to release; liberate: [set + object + ~]set the hostages free.[set + ~ + object]to set free the hostages.
Idiomswith a free hand, generously:donated money with a free hand.
free is an adjective and a verb, freely is an adverb, freedom is a noun:Are you free tomorrow evening? He worked hard to free the slaves from captivity. You may speak freely; you're among friends. We need some freedom of choice.
-free,suffix.
-free is attached to nouns to form adjectives with the meaning "not containing (the noun mentioned); without'':sugar + -free → sugar-free (= not containing sugar);trouble + -free → trouble-free (= without trouble).
Governmentenjoying personal rights or liberty, as a person who is not in slavery:a land of free people.
Governmentpertaining to or reserved for those who enjoy personal liberty:They were thankful to be living on free soil.
Governmentexisting under, characterized by, or possessing civil and political liberties that are, as a rule, constitutionally guaranteed by representative government:the free nations of the world.
Governmentenjoying political autonomy, as a people or country not under foreign rule; independent.
exempt from external authority, interference, restriction, etc., as a person or one's will, thought, choice, action, etc.; independent; unrestricted.
able to do something at will; at liberty:free to choose.
clear of obstructions or obstacles, as a road or corridor:The highway is now free of fallen rock.
not occupied or in use:I'll try to phone her again if the line is free.
exempt or released from something specified that controls, restrains, burdens, etc. (usually fol. by from or of ):free from worry; free of taxes.
having immunity or being safe (usually fol. by from):free from danger.
provided without, or not subject to, a charge or payment:free parking; a free sample.
given without consideration of a return or reward:a free offer of legal advice.
unimpeded, as motion or movement; easy, firm, or swift.
not held fast; loose; unattached:to get one's arm free.
not joined to or in contact with something else:The free end of the cantilever sagged.
acting without self-restraint or reserve:to be too free with one's tongue.
ready or generous in giving; liberal; lavish:to be free with one's advice.
given readily or in profusion; unstinted.
frank and open; unconstrained, unceremonious, or familiar.
unrestrained by decency; loose or licentious:free behavior.
not subject to special regulations, restrictions, duties, etc.:The ship was given free passage.
of, pertaining to, or characterized by free enterprise:a free economy.
that may be used by or is open to all:a free market.
engaged in by all present; general:a free fight.
not literal, as a translation, adaptation, or the like; loose.
uncombined chemically:free oxygen.
traveling without power; under no force except that of gravity or inertia:free flight.
Phonetics(of a vowel) situated in an open syllable (opposed to checked).
at liberty to enter and enjoy at will (usually fol. by of ):to be free of a friend's house.
not subject to rules, set forms, etc.:The young students had an hour of free play between classes.
easily worked, as stone, land, etc.
Mathematics(of a vector) having specified magnitude and direction but no specified initial point. Cf. bound1 (def. 9).
Nautical, Naval TermsAlso, large. (of a wind) nearly on the quarter, so that a sailing vessel may sail free.
not containing a specified substance (often used in combination):a sugar-free soft drink.
Oceanography, Linguistics(of a linguistic form) occurring as an independent construction, without necessary combination with other forms, as most words. Cf. bound1 (def. 11).
for free, [Informal.]without charge:The tailor mended my jacket for free.
free and clear, [Law.]without any encumbrance, as a lien or mortgage:They owned their house free and clear.
free and easy:
Idiomsunrestrained; casual; informal.
Idiomsexcessively or inappropriately casual; presumptuous.
Idiomsset free, to release; liberate; free:The prisoners were set free.
Idiomswith a free hand, generously; freely; openhandedly:He entertains visitors with a free hand.
without cost, payment, or charge.
adv.
in a free manner; freely.
Nautical, Naval Termsaway from the wind, so that a sailing vessel need not be close-hauled:running free.
Idiomsmake free with:
to use as one's own; help oneself to:If you make free with their liquor, you won't be invited again.
to treat with too much familiarity; take liberties with.
v.t.
to make free; set at liberty; release from bondage, imprisonment, or restraint.
to exempt or deliver (usually fol. by from).
to relieve or rid (usually fol. by of ):to free oneself of responsibility.
to disengage; clear (usually fol. by from or of ).
free up:
to release, as from restrictions:Congress voted to free up funds for the new highway system.
to disentangle:It took an hour to free up the traffic jam.
bef. 900; Middle English fre, Old English frēo; cognate with Gothic freis, Old High German frī (German frei), Dutch vrij, Sanskrit priyá- dear. Cf. friend,Friday
free′ness, n.
44.See corresponding entry in Unabridged See release.