freeware

American  

[free-wair] / ˈfriˌwɛər /

noun

1. computer software distributed without charge.

---

freeware British  

/ ˈfriːˌwɛə /

noun

1. computer software that may be distributed and used without payment

---

freeware Scientific  

/ frē′wâr′ /

1. Software that is available to users for free. Freeware is often made available for downloading over the Internet.

---

Etymology

Origin of freeware

First recorded in 1980–85

Compare meaning

How does freeware compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• freeware vs. shareware

Example Sentences

Some freeware sites still have it, or if you’re lucky, there might be about three toolbar installers deep in the downloads folder of any old PC.

From The Verge • Dec. 16, 2021

The majority of unsolicited freeware will clog your computer with junk files, give you malware or provide entryways for hackers.

From Fox News • Sep. 12, 2021

Ordinary computer users, many of them with no prior hacking experience, volunteered to become “script kiddies,” wielding premade freeware code scripts to contribute to the attack.

From The Guardian • Dec. 2, 2017

They totally left an opening for Kaspersky and some freeware competitors in the SMB space,” says Firstbrook.

From Forbes • Apr. 13, 2011

Many games and much freeware get written this way.

From The Jargon File, Version 4.2.2, 20 Aug 2000 by Steele, Guy L.