freewheeling

[ free-hwee-ling, -wee- ]

adjective

1. operating in the manner of a freewheel.
2. (of a person) moving about freely, independently, or irresponsibly.
3. (of words, remarks, actions, etc.) unrestrained; irresponsible:

   Loose, freewheeling charges were traded during the argument.

freewheeling

/ ˌfriːˈwiːlɪŋ /

adjective

1. relating to, operating as, or having a freewheel; coasting
2. informal.
   free of restraints; carefree or uninhibited

Word History and Origins

Origin of freewheeling¹

First recorded in 1900–05; freewheel + -ing ²

Example Sentences

The site became prominent last year as a freewheeling alternative to Twitter, gaining popularity in particular among conservatives.

From Washington Post

The three-time scoring champ looks like a clean fit in Brooklyn’s freewheeling offense thanks in part to Nets assistant coach Mike D’Antoni, who was Harden’s coach for four years in Houston.

From Washington Post

Experts see the law as a possible threat to Hong Kong’s status as a freewheeling financial hub.

From Fortune

This isn’t the freewheeling Google of 2010 anymore, after all.

From TechCrunch

Some of those who came to her table in those freewheeling days were newcomers, some were friends.

From Washington Post

But Freeman has a long history of witty, freewheeling responses in interviews.

From The Daily Beast

Besides busting a commercial milestone, Break It Yourself is a departure for Bird in its looser, more freewheeling sound.

From The Daily Beast

In Israel, the lines are more blurred, and bureaucrats are more freewheeling in speaking to the press.

From The Daily Beast

Freewheeling planets in your cosmic sector of transformation loosen inhibitions, and long-held opinions and secrets will eke out.

From The Daily Beast

For one thing, Barrett did her work on TV, a medium less freewheeling than the tabloids of an earlier era.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• autonomous
• nonpartisan
• self-contained
• self-governing
• self-reliant
• self-sufficient