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

Example Sentences

In doing so, she became the most decorated freestyle skier -- man or woman -- in the history of the Winter Games.

From Barron's

“Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.,” freestyle skier Howard Hess said.

From Los Angeles Times

Gu, the most decorated female Olympic freestyle skier in history, boosted her score further on her third and final run, leaving Atkin knowing she would have to be perfect to challenge for gold.

From BBC

With five medals - and the opportunity for one more on Saturday - she is the most decorated female Olympic freestyle skier in history.

From BBC

Gu laughed off the question, pointing out that she is now the most decorated woman in Olympic freestyle skiing history.

From Barron's

Related Words

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