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

Strips of text spelling “freestyle,” “defects” and “willpower”—each in a unique color and font—span one corner.

From The Wall Street Journal

The venues in Livigno must produce large quantities of artificial snow to create the halfpipes and jumps needed for snowboarding and freestyle skiing events.

From BBC

The issue relates to the site in Livigno in the Italian Alps which will host snowboard and freestyle skiing events.

From Barron's

Meanwhile, even as Jackson is busy making fans the butt of his comedic freestyle, the person laughing the hardest in the crowd is usually the roastee.

From Los Angeles Times

He first tried sumo aged seven, after also practicing judo and freestyle wrestling.

From BBC

Related Words

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