liberally
Americanadverb
-
in a way that is favorable to progress or reform, or that reflects the views of a political party advocating this.
He voted a lot more liberally than he campaigned, which may have had something to do with his reelection loss.
-
in a way that is not bound by traditional or conventional ideas or values, especially prejudice or bigotry.
Our goal is to be an intentionally open, intellectual, and liberally inclusive community.
-
in large amounts; generously; abundantly.
Sprinkle liberally with paprika, sea salt, and chili oil.
-
in a way that is not strict, literal, or rigorous.
This charter shall be liberally and broadly construed in favor of allowing the city to exercise its power.
The story was liberally adapted from a popular Chinese folk tale.
-
in the liberal arts.
What does it mean to be liberally educated in 21st-century America?
Other Word Forms
- antiliberally adverb
- half-liberally adverb
- nonliberally adverb
- overliberally adverb
- preliberally adverb
- pseudoliberally adverb
- quasi-liberally adverb
- semiliberally adverb
- unliberally adverb
Etymology
Origin of liberally
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The book breaks no new ground and liberally borrows from studies written by others.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
She drew liberally on her own experiences in the music industry to portray the fictional Charli's reactions.
From Barron's • Feb. 14, 2026
And once again, Miami is spending liberally on its best players.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026
“What the sickniks dispense is partly social criticism liberally laced with cyanide, partly a Charles Addams kind of jolly ghoulishness, and partly a personal and highly disturbing hostility toward all the world.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 27, 2025
Njemile struggled to open the bottle before Rawiya took it from her, flipping the cap open and liberally pouring its contents all over the other girl’s swollen hand.
From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
