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
• freethinking
  noun

Etymology

Origin of freethinker

First recorded in 1685–95; free + thinker

Example Sentences

So much so that we have names for the type: maverick, individualist, iconoclast, dissenter, rebel, freethinker.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 18, 2026

He considered himself a freethinker, and he wanted to evaluate the Soviet system with his own eyes.

From Slate • Aug. 27, 2023

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

“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