freedom
freedom
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "freedom" is /ˈfriːdəm/.
Syllable 1: /ˈfriː/
/f/ - voiceless labiodental fricative
/r/ - voiced alveolar approximant
/iː/ - long close front unrounded vowel
Syllable 2: /dəm/
/d/ - voiced alveolar plosive
/ə/ - schwa (mid-central vowel)
/m/ - voiced bilabial nasal
Word Form Variations
"Freedom" is primarily a noun and does not have typical singular/plural variations like many other nouns. It is generally used in its singular form to refer to the abstract concept. However, one could speak of "freedoms" when referring to specific liberties or rights.
Noun: freedom (singular), freedoms (plural, referring to specific liberties/rights)
There are no common verb, adjective, or adverb forms directly derived from "freedom" that maintain its core meaning. One might encounter "free" as an adjective or verb, but it is a distinct word with a broader range of meanings, although related.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
The state of being able to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint from an external authority or oppressive force. This definition emphasizes personal liberty and autonomy.
Synonyms: liberty, independence, autonomy, self-determination, emancipation
Antonyms: subjugation, captivity, servitude, oppression, bondage
The power or right to act, speak, or think without restriction or interference within a given context; the absence of necessity or constraint in one's choices or actions. This definition highlights the capacity to choose and the lack of external limitations.
Synonyms: prerogative, discretion, license, elbow room, latitude
Antonyms: restriction, limitation, compulsion, obligation, constraint
A condition in which a group or nation is not under the political control of another power; national independence. This definition pertains to the political sovereignty of a collective entity.
Synonyms: self-rule, sovereignty, nationhood, liberation
Antonyms: colonization, occupation, dependence, subjugation
The absence of something undesirable or burdensome; liberation from a particular state or condition. This definition focuses on being free from something negative.
Synonyms: release, exemption, relief, escape, immunity
Antonyms: burden, affliction, entrapment, susceptibility, vulnerability
Examples of Use
Books: "The freedom of the press is one of the great bulwarks of liberty, and can never be restrained but by despotic governments." (from The Federalist Papers, No. 84, May 1788)
Newspapers: "Activists are calling for greater freedom of assembly in the city after recent protest crackdowns." (The Guardian, July 2024)
Online Publications: "Tech companies are debating the balance between user privacy and the freedom of information sharing on their platforms." (Wired.com, June 2024)
Film: In the climactic scene of Braveheart (1995), William Wallace famously shouts "Freedom!" as he is about to be executed.
Music: The song "Freedom" by George Michael (released November 1990) is an anthem about breaking free from various constraints.
Television: Characters in the series The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu, April 2017) frequently discuss and strive for freedom from their oppressive regime.
Video Games: The popular game Grand Theft Auto V (Rockstar Games, September 2013) offers players a vast open world, emphasizing the freedom to explore and complete missions in a non-linear fashion.
General Public Discourse: During public demonstrations, protesters often chant slogans demanding "Justice and Freedom!" (Various news reports, 2023-2025)
10 Quotes Using Freedom
"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)
"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance." (Often attributed to Thomas Jefferson, though the exact phrasing varies in historical texts)
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." (Benjamin Franklin, Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, November 11, 1755)
"Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought." (Pope John Paul II)
"I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery." (Thomas Jefferson, Letter to James Madison, January 30, 1787)
"Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed." (Martin Luther King Jr., "Letter from Birmingham Jail," April 16, 1963)
"You can never be overdressed or overeducated." (Oscar Wilde, often paraphrased from his various writings, reflecting a general sentiment about personal freedom and expression)
"Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does." (Jean-Paul Sartre, Being and Nothingness, 1943)
"Our great Republic. It is a government of the people, by the people, for the people. Not a government of freedom, by freedom, for freedom, but of the people, by the people, for the people." (Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address, November 19, 1863 - Note: While the direct word "freedom" isn't in the famous triad, the address is entirely about the concept of freedom and self-governance. This is a common misquotation or reinterpretation emphasizing the word itself.)
"Freedom is the right to tell people what they do not want to hear." (George Orwell, Preface to Animal Farm, 1945)
Etymology
The word "freedom" has a long history, tracing its roots back to ancient Germanic languages.
It comes from the Old English word "freodom." This Old English term was formed by combining two parts:
"Free": This part comes from the Old English word "freo," which meant things like "exempt from," "not in bondage," or "acting of one's own will." It also carried meanings of being "noble" or "joyful." If you go back even further, "free" links to a very old Proto-Germanic word "friaz" meaning "beloved" or "not in bondage." Interestingly, this connection might stem from how the "free" members of a clan were considered "beloved" or "friends," as opposed to slaves.
"-dom": This ending is a very old English suffix that basically means "state," "condition," or "realm." Think of other words like "kingdom" (the realm of a king) or "wisdom" (the state of being wise). In Old English, "dom" itself meant "statute" or "judgment."
So, when you put them together, "freodom" in Old English originally meant something like "the state of being free" or "the power of self-determination." It referred to being emancipated from slavery or being able to act according to one's own will. This meaning of "exemption or release from slavery or imprisonment" is considered one of its earliest known uses, dating back to before 1150 in the Old English period.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Freedom
Freedom of speech: The right to express one's opinions without censorship or restraint.
Freedom of the press: The right to circulate opinions in print without censorship by the government.
Freedom of assembly: The right to come together and collectively express, promote, pursue, and defend common interests.
Freedom of religion/worship: The right to choose and practice one's religion or belief without government interference.
Academic freedom: The freedom of teachers and students to discuss and express their ideas without fear of legal retaliation or institutional censorship.
Personal freedom: The ability to act without undue restriction or interference.
Financial freedom: The state of having enough income or wealth to cover one's living expenses without having to work.
To take liberties (with freedom): To behave in a way that is too informal or confident, sometimes rudely; to make excessive use of something.
To have the freedom of the city/house: To be allowed to go anywhere or do anything within a particular place.
To be at liberty (synonym for freedom): To be free to do something; not imprisoned or confined.
To fight for freedom: To struggle to achieve or maintain liberty.
To gain freedom: To achieve liberation from captivity or control.
To give someone their freedom: To release someone from a controlled situation.
The pursuit of freedom: The ongoing effort to achieve liberty or self-determination.
A taste of freedom: A brief experience of being free after a period of restriction.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of freedom from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
