free

  • adjective (freer, freest) 1 not under the control or in the power of another. 2 permitted to take a specified action. 3 not or no longer confined, obstructed, or fixed. 4 not subject to engagements or obligations. 5 not occupied or in use. 6 (free of/from) not subject to or affected by. 7 available without charge. 8 generous or lavish. 9 frank and unrestrained. not subject to the normal conventions; improvised. (of a translation or interpretation) conveying only the broad sense; not literal.

  • adverb without cost or payment.

  • verb (frees, freed, freeing) 1 make free; release. 2 make available.

  — PHRASES free and easy informal and relaxed. a free hand freedom to act completely as one wishes. a free ride a situation in which someone benefits without having to make a fair contribution. the free world the non-communist countries of the world, as formerly opposed to the Soviet bloc. make free with treat without ceremony or proper respect.

  — DERIVATIVES freeness noun.

  — ORIGIN Old English, related to FRIEND.

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