adj

free

adj

Not under the control of someone else; not imprisoned or restricted.

"After years of conflict, the country finally became free."

"The bird was set free from its cage."

Costing nothing; available without payment.

"The museum is free on the first Sunday of every month."

"They gave out free samples at the supermarket entrance."

Not currently occupied or in use.

"Is this seat free, or is someone sitting there?"

verb

To release someone or something from confinement or restriction.

"The activists campaigned for years to free the wrongly convicted man."

"The new software update freed up a lot of storage space."

How to Use Free

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishNot restricted or controlled, or costing nothing.

Common mistake

Don't confuse "free" (no cost) with "freed" (released) — "a free prisoner" sounds odd; you'd say "a freed prisoner."

Common pairings

free of charge set someone free free time free will

Word Forms

freer comparative, more free comparative, more free comparative, freed past tense, Frees plural, frees singular, freest superlative, most free superlative, most free superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

After years of conflict, the country finally became _____.

Etymology

From Old English freo, ultimately from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "beloved, not in bondage" — the same root that gives us "friend." The core Indo-European idea was "dear" or "loved," which in Germanic languages narrowed to mean someone who belonged to the tribe, as opposed to a captive or slave.

Synonyms

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befree emancipate let loose liberate manumit release unchain unfetter unshackle

Antonyms

unfree

Related Words

tighten catch hold capture contain grasp consolation unchain

Rhymes for free

ee see bee wee nee pee fee tee zee gee vee ree

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