freethinker

American  

[free-thing-ker] / ˈfriˈθɪŋ kər /

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 British  

/ ˌfriːˈθɪŋkə /

noun

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

---

Other Word Forms

• freethinking adjective

Etymology

Origin of freethinker

First recorded in 1685–95; free + thinker

Example Sentences

Ms. Collinsworth, a former publisher and magazine editor, gives readers a close-up view of an ambitious freethinker and a lively picture of the milieu in which she operated.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025

Among Kanye West’s defenders, the thinking goes like this: He is a genius, a freethinker, an elevated conscience.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 10, 2022

This highly stylized love letter, addressing its recipient as “Consuelo,” was written in the style of the novel Consuelo by George Sand, the French writer, feminist, socialist, and freethinker.

From Slate • May 27, 2022

“He’s a freethinker and has a great sense of humor. Odessa lacks a community spirit in many ways and Chris is trying to change that.”

From Washington Times • Mar. 22, 2020

Vincenzio was something of a freethinker, by the standards of the day, and had no great love of the forms and rituals of the Church.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin