free  /fri/Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[free]Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciationadjective, fre‧er, fre‧est, adverb, verb, freed, free‧ing.

–adjective 1.enjoying personal rights or liberty, as a person who is not in slavery: a land of free people. 2.pertaining to or reserved for those who enjoy personal liberty: They were thankful to be living on free soil. 3.existing 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. 4.enjoying political autonomy, as a people or country not under foreign rule; independent. 5.exempt from external authority, interference, restriction, etc., as a person or one's will, thought, choice, action, etc.; independent; unrestricted. 6.able to do something at will; at liberty: free to choose. 7.clear of obstructions or obstacles, as a road or corridor: The highway is now free of fallen rock. 8.not occupied or in use: I'll try to phone her again if the line is free. 9.exempt or released from something specified that controls, restrains, burdens, etc. (usually fol. by from or of): free from worry; free of taxes. 10.having immunity or being safe (usually fol. by from): free from danger. 11.provided without, or not subject to, a charge or payment: free parking; a free sample. 12.given without consideration of a return or reward: a free offer of legal advice. 13.unimpeded, as motion or movement; easy, firm, or swift. 14.not held fast; loose; unattached: to get one's arm free. 15.not joined to or in contact with something else: The free end of the cantilever sagged. 16.acting without self-restraint or reserve: to be too free with one's tongue. 17.ready or generous in giving; liberal; lavish: to be free with one's advice. 18.given readily or in profusion; unstinted. 19.frank and open; unconstrained, unceremonious, or familiar. 20.unrestrained by decency; loose or licentious: free behavior. 21.not subject to special regulations, restrictions, duties, etc.: The ship was given free passage. 22.of, pertaining to, or characterized by free enterprise: a free economy. 23.that may be used by or is open to all: a free market. 24.engaged in by all present; general: a free fight. 25.not literal, as a translation, adaptation, or the like; loose. 26.uncombined chemically: free oxygen. 27.traveling without power; under no force except that of gravity or inertia: free flight. 28.Phonetics. (of a vowel) situated in an open syllable (opposed to checked). 29.at liberty to enter and enjoy at will (usually fol. by of): to be free of a friend's house. 30.not subject to rules, set forms, etc.: The young students had an hour of free play between classes. 31.easily worked, as stone, land, etc. 32.Mathematics. (of a vector) having specified magnitude and direction but no specified initial point. Compare bound1 (def. 9). 33.Also, large. Nautical. (of a wind) nearly on the quarter, so that a sailing vessel may sail free. 34.not containing a specified substance (often used in combination): a sugar-free soft drink. 35.(of a linguistic form) occurring as an independent construction, without necessary combination with other forms, as most words. Compare bound1 (def. 11). 36.without cost, payment, or charge. –adverb 37.in a free manner; freely. 38.Nautical. away from the wind, so that a sailing vessel need not be close-hauled: running free. –verb (used with object) 39.to make free; set at liberty; release from bondage, imprisonment, or restraint. 40.to exempt or deliver (usually fol. by from). 41.to relieve or rid (usually fol. by of): to free oneself of responsibility. 42.to disengage; clear (usually fol. by from or of). —Verb phrase 43.free up, a.to release, as from restrictions: Congress voted to free up funds for the new highway system. b.to disentangle: It took an hour to free up the traffic jam. —Idioms 44.for free, Informal. without charge: The tailor mended my jacket for free. 45.free and clear, Law. without any encumbrance, as a lien or mortgage: They owned their house free and clear. 46.free and easy, a.unrestrained; casual; informal. b.excessively or inappropriately casual; presumptuous. 47.set free, to release; liberate; free: The prisoners were set free. 48.with a free hand, generously; freely; openhandedly: He entertains visitors with a free hand. 49.make free with, a.to use as one's own; help oneself to: If you make free with their liquor, you won't be invited again. b.to treat with too much familiarity; take liberties with.