liberal

[ lib-er-uhl, lib-ruhl ]

/ ˈlɪb ər əl, ˈlɪb rəl /

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adjective

favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.

(often initial capital letter) noting or pertaining to a political party advocating measures of progressive political reform.

of, pertaining to, based on, or advocating liberalism, especially the freedom of the individual and governmental guarantees of individual rights and liberties.

favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible, especially as guaranteed by law and secured by governmental protection of civil liberties.

favoring or permitting freedom of action, especially with respect to matters of personal belief or expression: a liberal policy toward dissident artists and writers.

of or relating to representational forms of government rather than aristocracies and monarchies.

free from prejudice or bigotry; tolerant: a liberal attitude toward foreigners.

open-minded or tolerant, especially free of or not bound by traditional or conventional ideas, values, etc.

characterized by generosity and willingness to give in large amounts: a liberal donor.

given freely or abundantly; generous: a liberal donation.

not strict or rigorous; not literal; free: a liberal interpretation of a rule.

of, relating to, or based on the liberal arts.

of, relating to, or befitting a freeman.

noun

a person of liberal principles or views, especially in politics or religion.

(often initial capital letter) a member of a liberal party in politics, especially of the Liberal party in Great Britain.

SYNONYMS FOR liberal

1 progressive.

7 broad-minded, unprejudiced.

9 beneficent, charitable, openhanded, munificent, unstinting, lavish.

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ANTONYMS FOR liberal

1 reactionary.

8 intolerant.

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QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”

Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.

Question 1 of 7

Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?

their

there

they're

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of liberal

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin līberālis “of freedom, befitting the free, honorable,” equivalent to līber “free, open, frank” + -ālis -al¹

synonym study for liberal

9. See generous. 10. See ample.

OTHER WORDS FROM liberal

lib·er·al·ly, adverblib·er·al·ness, nounan·ti·lib·er·al, adjective, nounan·ti·lib·er·al·ness, noun

half-lib·er·al, adjectivenon·lib·er·al, adjectiveo·ver·lib·er·al, adjectivepre·lib·er·al, adjective, nounpseu·do·lib·er·al, adjective, nounqua·si-lib·er·al, adjectivesem·i·lib·er·al, adjective, nounun·lib·er·al, adjective

Words nearby liberal

libel tourism, libel tourist, liber, Libera, Liberace, liberal, liberal arts, Liberal Democrat, Liberal Democrats, liberal education, liberal elite

Definition for liberal (2 of 2)

Liberal

[ lib-er-uhl, lib-ruhl ]

/ ˈlɪb ər əl, ˈlɪb rəl /

noun

a city in SW Kansas.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for liberal

She endorsed Biden in April — after Sanders, with whom she had been fighting for the liberal vote, did so — and was widely reported to have been on Biden’s short list as a possible running mate.
Trump, in town hall, says he wouldn’t have done anything differently on pandemic|Colby Itkowitz, Josh Dawsey, Felicia Sonmez, John Wagner|September 16, 2020|Washington Post
San Diego’s new policy seems to be a little less liberal, according to a document obtained by Voice of San Diego.
The Learning Curve: San Diego Unified Is Terrified of Kids Opting Out|Will Huntsberry|September 10, 2020|Voice of San Diego
That’s two of the court’s remaining four liberal justices in their 80s.
Vote for Biden (duh)|Kevin Naff|September 10, 2020|Washington Blade
It’s a little bit more conservative, but you still have plenty of liberal thought here.
Full Transcript: Tomi Lahren on ‘The Carlos Watson Show’|Daniel Malloy|August 31, 2020|Ozy

For the first time this century, a liberal Democratic candidate has a real shot at the seat, according to forecastsin the deep-red state.
Trending News For Our Community|Tanya Christian|August 28, 2020|Essence.com
Obviously, the first obligation of all liberal democratic governments is to enforce the rule of law.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Our Duty Is to Keep Charlie Hebdo Alive|Ayaan Hirsi Ali|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
To be a liberal, you have to stand up for liberal principles.
Bill Maher: Hundreds of Millions of Muslims Support Attack on ‘Charlie Hebdo’|Lloyd Grove|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
A hundred ultra-wealthy liberal and conservative donors have taken over the political system.
The 100 Rich People Who Run America|Mark McKinnon|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Liberal Democrats like to blow their bugles about how all the big money in politics comes from rich Republicans.
The 100 Rich People Who Run America|Mark McKinnon|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The election of 1964 produced the most liberal Congress since the Democratic landslide of 1936.
Thank Congress, Not LBJ for Great Society|Julian Zelizer, Scott Porch|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But the liberal soul deviseth liberal things, and by liberal things shall he stand.
The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner (1801)|Daniel Defoe
She must be freed through the progress of Liberal ideas in France and Germany—not by her own inherent energies.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
Then he suddenly went in for politics and announced himself an uncompromising Liberal.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
Joseph, with his liberal ideas, had attempted to free the people from clerical thraldom.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
A woman with such capabilities would be wasted in the rle of a mere countess—but as the wife of an aspiring Liberal statesman!
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton

British Dictionary definitions for liberal (1 of 2)

liberal

/ (ˈlɪbərəl, ˈlɪbrəl) /

adjective

relating to or having social and political views that favour progress and reform

relating to or having policies or views advocating individual freedom

giving and generous in temperament or behaviour

tolerant of other people

abundant; lavisha liberal helping of cream

not strict; freea liberal translation

of or relating to an education that aims to develop general cultural interests and intellectual ability

noun

a person who has liberal ideas or opinions

Derived forms of liberal

liberally, adverbliberalness, noun

Word Origin for liberal

C14: from Latin līberālis of freedom, from līber free

British Dictionary definitions for liberal (2 of 2)

Liberal

/ (ˈlɪbərəl, ˈlɪbrəl) /

noun

a member or supporter of a Liberal Party or Liberal Democrat party

adjective

of or relating to a Liberal Party

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for liberal

liberal

A descriptive term for persons, policies, and beliefs associated with liberalism.

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WORD OF THE DAY

liberal

adjective

noun

SYNONYMS FOR liberal

ANTONYMS FOR liberal

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”

Origin of liberal

synonym study for liberal

OTHER WORDS FROM liberal

Words nearby liberal

Definition for liberal (2 of 2)

noun

Example sentences from the Web for liberal

British Dictionary definitions for liberal (1 of 2)

adjective

noun

Derived forms of liberal

Word Origin for liberal

British Dictionary definitions for liberal (2 of 2)

noun

adjective

Cultural definitions for liberal

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

liberal

adjective

noun

SYNONYMS FOR liberal

ANTONYMS FOR liberal

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”

Origin of liberal

synonym study for liberal

OTHER WORDS FROM liberal

Words nearby liberal

Definition for liberal (2 of 2)

noun

Words related to liberal

Example sentences from the Web for liberal

British Dictionary definitions for liberal (1 of 2)

adjective

noun

Derived forms of liberal

Word Origin for liberal

British Dictionary definitions for liberal (2 of 2)

noun

adjective

Cultural definitions for liberal