liberal
♦♦ lib|er|al /l'ɪbərəl/ (liberals)
1 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Someone who has liberal views believes people should have a lot of freedom in deciding how to behave and think.
She is known to have liberal views on divorce and contraception.
[N-COUNT]
Liberal is also a noun.
...a nation of free-thinking liberals.
2 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A liberal system allows people or organizations a lot of political or economic freedom.
...a liberal democracy with a multiparty political system...
They favour liberal free-market policies.
[N-COUNT]
Liberal is also a noun.
These kinds of price controls go against all the financial principles of the free market liberals.
3 [ADJ] ADJ n
A Liberal politician or voter is a member of a Liberal Party or votes for a Liberal Party.
The Liberal leader has announced his party's withdrawal from the ruling coalition.
[N-COUNT]
Liberal is also a noun.
The Liberals hold twenty-three seats in parliament.
4 [ADJ] oft ADJ with n
Liberal means giving, using, or taking a lot of something, or existing in large quantities.
As always he is liberal with his jokes...
She made liberal use of her elder sister's make-up and clothes.
● liberally [ADV] ADV with v
Chemical products were used liberally over agricultural land.lib|er|al arts
[N-PLURAL]
At a university or college, liberal arts courses are on subjects such as history or literature rather than science, law, medicine, or business. (AM)
1 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Someone who has liberal views believes people should have a lot of freedom in deciding how to behave and think.
She is known to have liberal views on divorce and contraception.
[N-COUNT]
Liberal is also a noun.
...a nation of free-thinking liberals.
2 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A liberal system allows people or organizations a lot of political or economic freedom.
...a liberal democracy with a multiparty political system...
They favour liberal free-market policies.
[N-COUNT]
Liberal is also a noun.
These kinds of price controls go against all the financial principles of the free market liberals.
3 [ADJ] ADJ n
A Liberal politician or voter is a member of a Liberal Party or votes for a Liberal Party.
The Liberal leader has announced his party's withdrawal from the ruling coalition.
[N-COUNT]
Liberal is also a noun.
The Liberals hold twenty-three seats in parliament.
4 [ADJ] oft ADJ with n
Liberal means giving, using, or taking a lot of something, or existing in large quantities.
As always he is liberal with his jokes...
She made liberal use of her elder sister's make-up and clothes.
● liberally [ADV] ADV with v
Chemical products were used liberally over agricultural land.lib|er|al arts
[N-PLURAL]
At a university or college, liberal arts courses are on subjects such as history or literature rather than science, law, medicine, or business. (AM)