noun

freelance

FREE-lahns

noun

A person who works independently for different clients rather than being employed long-term by one company.

"She left her office job to become a full-time freelance writer."

adj

Working independently for various clients rather than under a single employer.

"He does freelance photography for several local magazines."

verb

To work independently for multiple clients rather than as a permanent employee.

"After being laid off, she started freelancing as a graphic designer."

How to Use Freelance

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWorking for yourself, taking on jobs from different clients instead of having one employer.

Common pairings

freelance work go freelance freelance basis

Word Forms

more freelance comparative, freelanced past tense, freelances plural, freelances singular, most freelance superlative

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She left her office job to become a full-time _____ writer.

Etymology

Coined by Sir Walter Scott in his 1819 novel Ivanhoe, originally describing a medieval mercenary knight whose "lance" (weapon and services) was not sworn to any single lord. The word later shifted to its modern sense of independent, self-employed work.

Rhymes for freelance

lance dance Nance rance Vance chance nuance trance stance glance prance fiance

See all rhymes for freelance →