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

Business in the regions is dominated by the entertainment and tech companies, which can often be more freewheeling because much of the work is done alone and on computers that could be located anywhere.

From Los Angeles Times

And yet for the team behind “Nouvelle Vague,” about the production of Jean-Luc Godard’s radically freewheeling 1960 feature debut, “Breathless,” it kind of did.

From Los Angeles Times

Their freewheeling live shows made them a coveted arena act, when few new rock bands can aspire to that.

From Los Angeles Times

Pant's slow descent down the dressing-room steps produced a moment of pure theatre, then the way the home openers climbed into the India bowling was freewheeling Bazball.

From BBC

Others media giants have gotten into the more freewheeling online sphere by working with podcasters and YouTubers.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• autonomous 
• nonpartisan 
• self-reliant 
• self-sufficient 
• separate 
• sovereign