freehand

[ free-hand ]

/ ˈfriˌhænd /

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adjective

drawn or executed by hand without guiding instruments, measurements, or other aids: a freehand map.

adverb

in a freehand manner: to draw freehand.

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Origin of freehand

First recorded in 1860–65; free + hand

Words nearby freehand

free gift, free gingiva, free gold, free goods, free graft, freehand, free-handed, free-hearted, freehold, freeholder, free house

Other definitions for freehand (2 of 2)

free hand

noun

unrestricted freedom or authority: They gave the decorator a free hand.

Origin of free hand

First recorded in 1925–30

How to use freehand in a sentence

The main annotation tools are up in the top left corner—you can draw freehand scribbles, create shapes, and drop text on your picture.
How to edit screenshots on any device|David Nield|August 24, 2021|Popular-Science
Grinding is a really weird thing, when you grind a blade freehand.
The Knife Master|Melissa Vaughn, Brendan Vaughn|October 11, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Some chefs freehand it, but see the previous note about scars.
The Chef's Secret Weapon|Chad Ward|November 3, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Pencils for mechanical drawing should be sharpened with a chisel point, and those for freehand work with a round point.
An Introduction to Machine Drawing and Design|David Allan Low

During each year there is regular instruction in freehand drawing, the last year being from life.
The Brochure Series of Architectural Illustration, Volume 01, No. 06, June 1895|Various
May I ask,” said the teacher, “to have explained the system by which the supposedly freehand drawing in this book has been done?
Emmy Lou|George Madden Martin
By art teaching I hasten to say that I do not mean giving children lessons in freehand drawing and perspective.
A Treatise on Parents and Children|George Bernard Shaw
Mr. Nasmyth was a good freehand draughtsman, and he sketched the Rocket as it stood on the line.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 460, October 25, 1884|Various

British Dictionary definitions for freehand

free hand

noun

unrestricted freedom to act (esp in the phrase give (someone) a free hand)

adjective, adverb freehand

(done) by hand without the use of guiding instrumentsa freehand drawing

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with freehand

free hand

Also, free rein. Freedom to do or decide as one sees fit. For example, The teacher gave her assistant a free hand with the class, or They gave me free rein to reorganize the department. The first expression dates from the late 1800s, the second from the mid-1900s.