liberal

¹

[ lib-er-uhl, lib-ruhl ]

adjective

1. favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.

   Synonyms: progressive

   Antonyms: reactionary

2. (often initial capital letter) noting or pertaining to a political party advocating measures of progressive political reform.
3. of, pertaining to, based on, or advocating liberalism, especially the freedom of the individual and governmental guarantees of individual rights and liberties.
4. favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible, especially as guaranteed by law and secured by governmental protection of civil liberties.
5. favoring or permitting freedom of action, especially with respect to matters of personal belief or expression:

   a liberal policy toward dissident artists and writers.

6. of or relating to representational forms of government rather than aristocracies and monarchies.
7. free from prejudice or bigotry; tolerant:

   a liberal attitude toward foreigners.

   Synonyms: unprejudiced, broad-minded

8. open-minded or tolerant, especially free of or not bound by traditional or conventional ideas, values, etc.

   Antonyms: intolerant

9. characterized by generosity and willingness to give in large amounts:

   a liberal donor.

   Synonyms: unstinting, munificent, openhanded, charitable, beneficent, lavish

10. given freely or abundantly; generous:

    a liberal donation.

11. not strict or rigorous; not literal; free:

    a liberal interpretation of a rule.

12. of, relating to, or based on the liberal arts.
13. of, relating to, or befitting a freeman.

noun

1. a person of liberal principles or views, especially in politics or religion.
2. (often initial capital letter) a member of a liberal party in politics, especially of the Liberal party in Great Britain.

Liberal

²

[ lib-er-uhl, lib-ruhl ]

noun

1. a city in SW Kansas.

Liberal

¹

/ ˈlɪbərəl; ˈlɪbrəl /

noun

1. a member or supporter of a Liberal Party or Liberal Democrat party

adjective

1. of or relating to a Liberal Party

liberal

²

/ ˈlɪbrəl; ˈlɪbərəl /

adjective

1. relating to or having social and political views that favour progress and reform
2. relating to or having policies or views advocating individual freedom
3. giving and generous in temperament or behaviour
4. tolerant of other people
5. abundant; lavish

   a liberal helping of cream

6. not strict; free

   a liberal translation

7. of or relating to an education that aims to develop general cultural interests and intellectual ability

noun

1. a person who has liberal ideas or opinions

liberal

1. A descriptive term for persons, policies, and beliefs associated with liberalism .

Derived Forms

• ˈliberally, adverb
• ˈliberalness, noun

Other Words From

• lib·er·al·ly adverb
• lib·er·al·ness noun
• an·ti·lib·er·al adjective noun
• an·ti·lib·er·al·ness noun
• half-lib·er·al adjective
• non·lib·er·al adjective
• o·ver·lib·er·al adjective
• pre·lib·er·al adjective noun
• pseu·do·lib·er·al adjective noun
• qua·si-lib·er·al adjective
• sem·i·lib·er·al adjective noun
• un·lib·er·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of liberal¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin līberālis “of freedom, befitting the free, honorable,” equivalent to līber “free, open, frank” + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of liberal¹

C14: from Latin līberālis of freedom, from līber free

Synonym Study

See generous. See ample.

Example Sentences

Obviously, the first obligation of all liberal democratic governments is to enforce the rule of law.

From The Daily Beast

To be a liberal, you have to stand up for liberal principles.

From The Daily Beast

A hundred ultra-wealthy liberal and conservative donors have taken over the political system.

From The Daily Beast

Liberal Democrats like to blow their bugles about how all the big money in politics comes from rich Republicans.

From The Daily Beast

The election of 1964 produced the most liberal Congress since the Democratic landslide of 1936.

From The Daily Beast

But the liberal soul deviseth liberal things, and by liberal things shall he stand.

From Project Gutenberg

She must be freed through the progress of Liberal ideas in France and Germany—not by her own inherent energies.

From Project Gutenberg

Then he suddenly went in for politics and announced himself an uncompromising Liberal.

From Project Gutenberg

Joseph, with his liberal ideas, had attempted to free the people from clerical thraldom.

From Project Gutenberg

A woman with such capabilities would be wasted in the rle of a mere countess—but as the wife of an aspiring Liberal statesman!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• broad
• flexible
• lenient
• loose
• relaxed