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Synonyms

freelancer

American  
[free-lan-ser] / ˈfriˌlæn sər /
Also free lancer,

noun

freelancers plural
  1. a person who works as a writer, designer, performer, or the like, selling work or services by the hour, day, job, etc., rather than working on a regular salary basis for one employer.


Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of freelancer

First recorded in 1920–25; freelance ( def. ) + -er 1 ( def. )

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.

See Examples For:

Willey then worked as a freelancer in Algeria, before becoming the BBC's east Africa correspondent in 1964.

From BBC Jul. 12, 2026

The author is a freelancer and storyteller who lives in Glassell Park with her husband, two dogs and four quail.

From Los Angeles Times May 1, 2026

"So when you download software, when an SME uses the cloud, when a freelancer sells a design service abroad, there are no taxes at the border," she said.

From Barron's Mar. 27, 2026

In direct messages between client and freelancer, matters of A.I. usage and ghostwriting can be discussed.

From Slate Mar. 20, 2026

The friend, a former telephone company technician turned freelancer, came over to look at the equipment.

From Underground by Dreyfus, Suelette

In recent years, Letterboxd has made a foray into journalism, hiring an editorial team of staff and freelancers, who publish solid film writing on Letterboxd Journal.

From Salon Jul. 15, 2026

Reining in the Fed’s freelancers, to Hubbard, is a manager doing his job—not a retreat from openness.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 15, 2026

Hobbyists use it on personal projects, while freelancers use it to spin up their own business ideas.

From Slate Apr. 14, 2026

That’s a broad swath of Californians — including many bartenders and hairdressers, small business owners and their employees, farmers and farm workers, freelancers, ride-share drivers, and those working multiple part-time gigs to make ends meet.

From Los Angeles Times Oct. 31, 2025

There were a few others, freelancers who’d step in when we needed them.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee

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