liberty

[ lib-er-tee ]

/ ˈlɪb ər ti /

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See synonyms for liberty on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural lib·er·ties.

freedom from arbitrary or despotic government or control.

freedom from external or foreign rule; independence.

freedom from control, interference, obligation, restriction, hampering conditions, etc.; power or right of doing, thinking, speaking, etc., according to choice.

freedom from captivity, confinement, or physical restraint: The prisoner soon regained his liberty.

permission granted to a sailor, especially in the navy, to go ashore.

freedom or right to frequent or use a place: The visitors were given the liberty of the city.

unwarranted or impertinent freedom in action or speech, or a form or instance of it: to take liberties.

a female figure personifying freedom from despotism.

OTHER WORDS FOR liberty

4 liberation.

6 franchise, permission, license, privilege, immunity.

See synonyms for liberty on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about liberty

at liberty,

free from captivity or restraint.
unemployed; out of work.
free to do or be as specified: You are at liberty to leave at any time during the meeting.

Origin of liberty

1325–75; Middle English liberte, from Middle French, from Latin lībertās, equivalent to līber “free” + -tās -ty²

synonym study for liberty

1-4, 7. See freedom.

Words nearby liberty

Libertas, liberté, égalité, fraternité, liberticide, libertine, libertinism, liberty, Liberty Bell, Liberty bodice, Liberty bond, liberty cap, liberty hall

Other definitions for liberty (2 of 2)

Liberty

[ lib-er-tee ]

/ ˈlɪb ər ti /

noun

a town in W Missouri.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use liberty in a sentence

As the public school we are not at liberty to provide that information.
The Learning Curve: San Diego Unified Is Terrified of Kids Opting Out|Will Huntsberry|September 10, 2020|Voice of San Diego
Women and men who believed so fiercely in the promise of equality, liberty, and justice for all.
Why Kamala Harris’s Big Night was bittersweet|Claire Zillman, reporter|August 20, 2020|Fortune
The pandemic has accelerated this attrition of individual liberties.
Covid-19 and the geopolitics of American decline|Katie McLean|August 19, 2020|MIT Technology Review
The challenge has always been to balance our national security needs while protecting civil liberties.
Congressional Dems: New Surveillance Bill Strikes Right Balance|Jesse Marx|June 22, 2020|Voice of San Diego

Minority groups have, for the most part, gone along with restrictions on their liberty for the sake of the health of all.
Epidemics Have Often Led To Discrimination Against Minorities – This Time Is No Different|LGBTQ-Editor|June 9, 2020|No Straight News
At this point Marvin gives his Liberty Valance smile, the kind that makes you wish you could disintegrate in front of him.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Finally, Van Cleef and Martin realize Liberty is going too far.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The first day of Liberty, I was hanging around waiting for Ford to come in.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But Liberty is always dipping his shoulder, whirling around.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
We are looking forward to working closely with this champion of liberty.
Vaclav Klaus, Libertarian Hero, Has His Wings Clipped by Cato Institute|James Kirchick|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Whether advocates and orators had liberty to plead in causes, manifestly known to be unjust, vexatious, or oppressive?
Gulliver's Travels|Jonathan Swift
He worketh under correction, and seeketh to rest: let his hands be idle, and he seeketh liberty.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
It is a further refinement when the staunch little lover of liberty sets about "easing" the pressure of commands.
Children's Ways|James Sully
He walked on, and thought of the rapt liberty of the soul in the sweet serenities of beautiful solitude.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
"And the first thing you did with your liberty was to come to Europe," said Miss Thangue, with a sympathetic smile.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton

British Dictionary definitions for liberty

liberty

/ (ˈlɪbətɪ) /

noun plural -ties

the power of choosing, thinking, and acting for oneself; freedom from control or restriction

the right or privilege of access to a particular place; freedom

(often plural) a social action regarded as being familiar, forward, or improper

(often plural) an action that is unauthorized or unwarranted in the circumstanceshe took liberties with the translation

authorized leave granted to a sailor
(as modifier)liberty man; liberty boat

at liberty free, unoccupied, or unrestricted

take liberties to be overfamiliar or overpresumptuous (with)

take the liberty to venture or presume (to do something)

Word Origin for liberty

C14: from Old French liberté, from Latin lībertās, from līber free

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with liberty

liberty

see at liberty; take the liberty of.

liberty

OTHER WORDS FOR liberty

Idioms about liberty

Origin of liberty

synonym study for liberty

Words nearby liberty

Other definitions for liberty (2 of 2)

Words related to liberty

How to use liberty in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for liberty

Word Origin for liberty

Other Idioms and Phrases with liberty