freelancer

American  

[free-lan-ser] / ˈfriˌlæn sər /

Also free lancer,

noun

1. a person who works as a writer, designer, performer, or the like, selling work or services by the hour, day, job, etc., rather than working on a regular salary basis for one employer.

---

Etymology

Origin of freelancer

First recorded in 1920–25; freelance ( def. ) + -er ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Yang, the freelancer, was stoic about the loss of the Galeries.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

Barcelo has been doing visual effects for 26 years, mostly as a freelancer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

In direct messages between client and freelancer, matters of A.I. usage and ghostwriting can be discussed.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

The author is a freelancer, a teacher and a mom of three.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 2, 2026

I forget the year it was launched and if I was still a freelancer at the Free Press Journal or on its staff.

From Behind the News: Voices from Goa's Press by Various

Related Words

• author
• biographer
• columnist
• correspondent
• critic
• dramatist
• editor
• essayist
• journalist
• novelist
• poet
• reporter
• screenwriter