freethinker

[ free-thing-ker ]

noun

1. a person who forms opinions on the basis of reason, independent of authority or tradition, especially a person whose religious opinions differ from established belief.

   Synonyms: atheist, agnostic, skeptic

freethinker

/ ˌfriːˈθɪŋkə /

noun

1. a person who forms his or her ideas and opinions independently of authority or accepted views, esp in matters of religion

Derived Forms

• ˌfreeˈthinking, nounadjective

Other Words From

• freethinking adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of freethinker¹

First recorded in 1685–95; free + thinker

Example Sentences

Pepe does not have the baggage here that he does in the 'real world,’ and I like working with utopians and optimistic freethinkers.

From Washington Post

The following pages are reprinted, with some alterations and additions, from the columns of the Freethinker.

From Project Gutenberg

There are as many plausible reasons for inducing me to die a bigot as there have been to make me hitherto live a freethinker.

From Project Gutenberg

Lick, the Freethinker, built and endowed the great observatory which is one of the glories of America.

From Project Gutenberg

If he behaves himself, if he is intelligent and honest, his actions are not materially different from those of a good Freethinker.

From Project Gutenberg

With equal propriety one might say of an upright Christian, "He is a rational Freethinker because he believes in morality."

From Project Gutenberg