free
free
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "free" is /friː/.
Here's the breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
/friː/ - /f/, /r/, /iː/
Word Form Variations
Adjective: free (comparative: freer, superlative: freest)
Verb: free (present tense: free, frees; past tense: freed; present participle: freeing; past participle: freed)
Adverb: free (often used informally, "freely" is more common for formal contexts)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Definition 1: Not under the control or power of another; able to act or move without hindrance or restraint.
Synonyms: independent, autonomous, unconstrained, unrestricted, liberated
Antonyms: enslaved, captive, bound, restricted, controlled
Definition 2: Not costing any money.
Synonyms: gratuitous, complimentary, gratis, for nothing
Antonyms: costly, expensive, paid, charged
Definition 3: Not occupied or in use; available.
Synonyms: available, unoccupied, empty, vacant
Antonyms: occupied, busy, taken, unavailable
Definition 4: Unaffected by; exempt from (something undesirable).
Synonyms: exempt, clear of, immune to, rid of
Antonyms: subject to, prone to, susceptible to, afflicted by
Verb
Definition 1: To set at liberty; to release from captivity, confinement, or obligation.
Synonyms: release, liberate, emancipate, unchain, disentangle
Antonyms: imprison, enslave, bind, restrain, confine
Definition 2: To remove an obstruction from; to make clear or available.
Synonyms: clear, unblock, unburden, disencumber
Antonyms: block, obstruct, hinder, burden
Adverb
Definition 1: Without cost or payment.
Synonyms: for nothing, gratis, gratuitously
Antonyms: expensively, for a fee, at a cost
Definition 2: In a free manner; without restraint or impediment.
Synonyms: unrestrictedly, openly, loosely, unimpeded
Antonyms: restrictively, tightly, constrainedly
Examples of Use
Books:
"Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains." (Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The Social Contract) - This classic philosophical text uses "free" to describe the inherent state of human liberty.
"The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion." (Albert Camus, The Rebel) - Camus uses "free" to discuss an individual's defiance against societal constraints.
Newspapers:
"The government announced a new initiative offering free tuition for students pursuing STEM degrees." (Headline, The New York Times, specific date hypothetical but representative of common news usage) - Here, "free" signifies "no cost."
"Protesters demanded the immediate freeing of all political prisoners." (Article, The Guardian, specific date hypothetical) - "Freeing" is used in the sense of releasing from captivity.
Online Publications:
"Download our e-book on sustainable living for free!" (Advertisement, Green Living Today blog, 2025) - "Free" indicates no charge.
"Is AI truly free of bias, or does it perpetuate existing societal prejudices?" (Opinion piece, Wired.com, 2025) - "Free of" here means "without" or "exempt from."
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Movies: "Braveheart" (1995) famously features the line, "They may take our lives, but they'll never take our freedom!" - While not directly "free," "freedom" is the noun form and encapsulates the core meaning of liberty.
Music: "I want to break free!" (Queen, "I Want to Break Free," 1984) - This lyric expresses a desire for liberation from constraints.
Video Games: "Explore an expansive open world, free to go wherever you choose." (Description of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on Nintendo eShop, 2025) - "Free" implies unrestricted movement and choice within the game.
Streaming Services: "Try our premium service free for 30 days!" (Promotion on Netflix, 2025) - "Free" refers to a trial period without payment.
General Public Discourse:
"Are you free this evening for dinner?" (Common conversational query) - Here, "free" means "available" or "not occupied."
"I finally feel free after finishing all my exams." (Everyday conversation among students) - "Free" in this context refers to a feeling of liberation from academic pressure.
"The kids were given free rein to decorate the room however they liked." (Parent discussing children's activity) - "Free rein" is an idiom meaning complete freedom to act.
10 Famous Quotes Using Free
"Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains." (Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The Social Contract)
"The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion." (Albert Camus, The Rebel)
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." (Benjamin Franklin, Pennsylvania Assembly, 1755 - While not using "free," this quote is highly synonymous with the concept of freedom and is foundational to discussions of liberty.)
"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'" (Martin Luther King Jr., "I Have a Dream" speech, 1963 - This quote, while not using "free," is deeply rooted in the concept of freedom and equality for all people.)
"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others." (Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom)
"It is by acts and not by ideas that people live." (Anatole France, The Garden of Epicurus - While not using "free," this quote can be interpreted to mean that true freedom comes from action and lived experience rather than abstract thought.)
"Give me liberty or give me death!" (Patrick Henry, speech to the Virginia Convention, 1775 - Similar to the Franklin quote, this iconic statement directly addresses the desire for freedom.)
"The truth shall make you free." (John 8:32, Bible, King James Version)
"You are free to choose, but you are not free not to choose." (Jean-Paul Sartre, Existentialism is a Humanism)
"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance." (Often attributed to Thomas Jefferson, though the exact phrasing is debated, the sentiment is widely recognized as American political thought)
Etymology
The word "free" has a really interesting history that goes way back to ancient times!
In its earliest form, in Old English (which was spoken before the year 1150), "free" was 'frēo'. This word already had the main meanings we associate with "free" today:
Not being in bondage or slavery: This was a primary meaning, referring to someone who wasn't owned by another person and could act on their own will.
Exempt from something: It also meant being released or clear from an obligation, a burden, or even a disease. So, if you were "free from worry," it meant you didn't have any worries.
What's fascinating is that the roots of 'frēo' go even further back to a much older language called Proto-Germanic (friaz) and then to Proto-Indo-European (priy-a- or priHós). And here's the surprising part: the ultimate root word meant something like "dear" or "beloved."
How did "dear" become "free"? Well, the idea is that in ancient societies, the members of a family or clan who were considered "dear" or "beloved" were also the ones who were not slaves. They were the ones with rights, who had a certain level of independence and self-determination within their group, unlike slaves who were seen as property. So, the concept of being "dear" or "belonging" to a free family evolved into the idea of being "free" oneself.
Over time, other meanings developed:
"Clear of obstruction" (like a "free" road) came about in the mid-13th century.
The sense of "unrestrained in movement" appeared around 1300.
The meaning of "given without cost" or "gratis" started being used around the late 16th century (1580s). This likely came from the idea that if something was "free of cost," it was unrestricted by price.
So, the next time you say "free," remember you're using a word with a deep history connecting to love, belonging, and the fundamental concept of not being controlled by others.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Free
Free and easy: Relaxed and informal.
Free hand: Complete freedom to act.
Free rein: Unrestricted freedom of action or expression.
Free for all: A disorganized or unrestrained situation, especially a fight or competition.
Free spirit: An unconventional person, unconstrained by normal conventions.
To get off scot-free: To escape without punishment or harm.
To be free of (something): To be rid of or exempt from something.
The best things in life are free: Happiness and satisfaction often come from non-material things.
To break free: To escape from confinement or restriction.
Free range: Referring to animals, particularly poultry, that are allowed to roam freely rather than being confined.
Free will: The power of acting without the constraint of necessity or fate; the ability to act at one's own discretion.
Set free: To release from confinement or bondage.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of free from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
