Synonyms

free speech

American

noun

freedom of speech.

free speech British

noun

the right to express one's opinions publicly

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of free speech

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Free speech means you can say what you want in the digital town square.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 16, 2025

Free speech advocate Mr O'Grady said "no-one is arguing for an unfettered 'right' to incite racial hatred".

From BBC • May 24, 2025

Free speech advocates are particularly concerned about Bondi’s new policy.

From Salon • May 12, 2025

Free speech by civil servants is fundamental to a healthy democracy.

From Slate • Mar. 19, 2024

REELTOK: Free speech applies to everybody, even people who are mixed up.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023