Search results for 'free':

free adj (freer , freest) 1 allowed to move as one pleases; not shut in. 2 not tied or fastened. 3 allowed to do as one pleases; not restricted, controlled or enslaved. 4 said of a country: independent. 5 costing nothing. 6 open or available to all. 7 not working, busy, engaged or having another appointment. 8 not occupied; not being used. 9 said of a translation: not precisely literal. 10 smooth and easy • free and relaxed body movement. 11 without obstruction • given free passage. 12 derog said of a person's manner: disrespectful, over-familiar or presumptuous. 13 chem not combined with another chemical element. 14 in compounds a not containing the specified ingredient, substance, factor, etc (which is usually considered to be undesirable) • sugar-free • milk-free • nuclear-free; b free from, or not affected or troubled by, the specified thing • trouble-free meeting • stress-free weekend • carefree; c not paying or exempt from the specified thing • rent-free • tax-free A 17c and particularly since the 1970s in sense 14a; 16c in sense 14b; Anglo-Saxon in sense 14c. adverb 1 without payment • free of charge. 2 freely; without restriction • wander free. verb (frees, freed, freeing) to allow someone to move without restriction after a period in captivity, prison, etc; to set or make someone free; to liberate someone. freely adverb. freeness noun. feel free colloq you have permission (to do something) • Feel free to borrow my bike anytime. for free colloq without payment. free and easy cheerfully casual or tolerant. a free hand scope to choose how best to act. free of or from something without; not or no longer having or suffering (especially something harmful, unpleasant or not wanted) • free of fear • finally free from the aching pain. free with something open, generous, lavish or liberal • free with her money • free with his body. it's a free country colloq there's no objection to acting in the way mentioned. make free with something to make too much, or unacceptable, use of something not one's own.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon freo.