freestyle

American  

[free-stahyl] / ˈfriˌstaɪl /

noun

1. Swimming.

   1. a competition in which any of the standard strokes may be used, according to the swimmer's choice.

   2. the crawl.

2. Wrestling. a style of wrestling in which the contestants are permitted to trip, tackle, and use holds below the waist.

3. a sports performance or routine featuring relatively free, unrestricted movement, or intended to demonstrate an individual's special skills or style, such as in figure skating, gymnastics, surfing, or skateboarding.

4. 1. Also called freestyle rapping.  Also called freestyle rap,.  a style of rap in which the topic, rhymes, and rhythm are improvised.

      Her first breakout rap album was all freestyle.

   2. a rap that is improvised throughout.

      He's known for his freestyles.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. to perform a rap in which the topic, rhymes, and rhythms are improvised.

   Believe it or not, she’s freestyling all this.

freestyle British  

/ ˈfriːˌstaɪl /

noun

1. a competition or race, as in swimming, in which each participant may use a style of his or her choice instead of a specified style

2. 1. an amateur style of wrestling with an agreed set of rules

   2. Also called: all-in wrestling.  a style of professional wrestling with no internationally agreed set of rules

3. a series of acrobatics performed in skiing, etc

4. ( as modifier )

   a freestyle event

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Other Word Forms

• freestyler noun

Etymology

Origin of freestyle

First recorded in 1930–35; free + style

Explanation

In sports, a freestyle race allows the athlete to choose between different methods of competing. Swimmers can use any stroke in a freestyle event (though they almost always choose the front crawl). In swimming, freestyle is synonymous with the crawl — but that's only because most swimmers choose to swim this fast stroke in freestyle races. Officially, freestyle offers a choice between crawl, breaststroke, butterfly, or backstroke. Sports that allow for creativity are often described as freestyle, too, like freestyle BMX events and freestyle skiing, both of which involve jumps and tricks. Freestyle was coined from the idea that athletes are free to choose the style they prefer.

Example Sentences

People always ask me “How do you guys freestyle or battle?”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

Cameron McEvoy says it is "crazy" he has not received a financial reward for setting a world record in the men's 50m freestyle at the China Open last week.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Audiences have the chance to watch agility contests, freestyle heelwork to music and flyball - head-to-head relay races between dog teams - and a display by the West Midlands Police Dog team, organisers have said.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

Jessie Diggins took home a bronze in the 10-kilometer freestyle, the fourth Olympic medal of her career.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2026

He kept trying to freestyle about how dope the party was going to be, but kept interrupting himself by shoveling food into his mouth.

From "When I Was the Greatest" by Jason Reynolds

Related Words

• bathe
• crawl
• dive
• float
• glide
• paddle
• submerge
• wade