liberal

[ lib-er-uhl, lib-ruhl ]

/ ˈlɪb ər əl, ˈlɪb rəl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR liberal ON THESAURUS.COM

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; free; not literal: 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.

Nearby words

libelous, liber, liber extra, libera, liberace, liberal, liberal arts, liberal democrat, liberal democrats, liberal education, liberal elite

Origin of liberal

1325–75; Middle English < Latin līberālis of freedom, befitting the free, equivalent to līber free + -ālis -al¹

SYNONYMS FOR liberal

1 progressive.

7 broad-minded, unprejudiced.

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

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR liberal ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR liberal

1 reactionary.

8 intolerant.

9, 10 niggardly.

SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR liberal ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

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

an·ti·lib·er·al·ness, nounhalf-lib·er·al, adjectivehalf-lib·er·al·ly, adverbnon·lib·er·al, adjectiveo·ver·lib·er·al, adjectiveo·ver·lib·er·al·ly, adverbpre·lib·er·al, adjective, nounpre·lib·er·al·ly, adverbpseu·do·lib·er·al, adjective, nounpseu·do·lib·er·al·ly, adverbqua·si-lib·er·al, adjectivequa·si-lib·er·al·ly, adverbsem·i·lib·er·al, adjective, nounsem·i·lib·er·al·ly, adverbun·lib·er·al, adjectiveun·lib·er·al·ly, adverb

Synonym study

9. See generous. 10. See ample.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for liberally

But the show has won its adherents for more than just the neck-snapping plot twists that liberally pepper the narrative.
‘Game of Thrones’: ‘Modern Family,’ ‘Parks and Rec’ Writers on Why They Love the HBO Drama|Jace Lacob|September 21, 2012|DAILY BEAST
To turn the tables, imagine if these public conversations were liberally sprinkled with references to fashion, or yoga.
Obama Macho|Katty Kay|February 17, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Next day he spread the buck's hide out on the ground and drenched it liberally with the product of deer-brains.
The Blazed Trail|Stewart Edward White
This appeal was liberally and promptly responded to by the residents of Bristol and Clifton.
The Bristol Royal Mail|R. C. Tombs

They held frequent talks with them and supplied them liberally with goods and munitions of war.
Great Indian Chief of the West|Benjamin Drake
They, in various attitudes, took greedily of the venison pottage, and liberally washed it down with ale.
The Black Arrow|Robert Louis Stevenson
Morris Perlmutter's front parlor represented an eclectic taste, and the fine arts had been liberally patronized in its decoration.
Potash & Perlmutter|Montague Glass

British Dictionary definitions for liberally (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

liberally, adverbliberalness, noun

Word Origin for liberal

C14: from Latin līberālis of freedom, from līber free

British Dictionary definitions for liberally (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

Culture definitions for liberally

liberal

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

liberal

adjective

noun

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of liberal

SYNONYMS FOR liberal

ANTONYMS FOR liberal

Related forms

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for liberally

British Dictionary definitions for liberally (1 of 2)

liberal

adjective

noun

Derived Forms

Word Origin for liberal

British Dictionary definitions for liberally (2 of 2)

Liberal

noun

adjective

Culture definitions for liberally

liberal