free
♦♦♦ free /fr'iː/ (freer freest frees freeing freed)
1 [ADJ]
If something is free, you can have it or use it without paying for it.
The seminars are free, with lunch provided.
...a free brochure with details of gift vouchers.
free of charge: see charge
2 [ADJ] oft ADJ to-inf
Someone or something that is free is not restricted, controlled, or limited, for example by rules, customs, or other people.
The government will be free to pursue its economic policies...
The elections were free and fair...
Economists argued that freer markets would quickly revive the region's economy...
He fears that until state subsidies are removed, Russia will never have a truly free press...
Dogs were allowed to roam free and 48 sheep were killed.
● freely [ADV] ADV with v
They cast their votes freely and without coercion on election day...
Merchandise can now circulate freely among the EU countries.
3 [VERB] V n of/from n
If you free someone of something that is unpleasant or restricting, you remove it from them.
The 30-year-old star is trying to free himself from his recording contract.
4 [ADJ] ADJ n, v-link ADJ, ADJ after v
Someone who is free is no longer a prisoner or a slave.
More than ninety prisoners have been set free so far under a government amnesty.
5 [VERB] V n, V-ed
To free a prisoner or a slave means to let them go or release them from prison.
Israel is set to free more Lebanese prisoners...
The act had a specific intent, to protect freed slaves from white mobs.
6 [ADJ] v-link ADJ of/from n
If someone or something is free of or free from an unpleasant thing, they do not have it or they are not affected by it.
...a future far more free of fear...
The filtration system provides the crew with clean air free from fumes.
7 [ADJ] v-link ADJ of n
A sum of money or type of goods that is free of tax or duty is one that you do not have to pay tax on.
see also duty-free, interest-free,
8 [VERB] V n, V n to-inf, V n from/of/for n
To free someone or something means to make them available for a task or function that they were previously not available for.
Toolbelts free both hands and lessen the risk of dropping hammers...
His deal with Disney will run out shortly, freeing him to pursue his own project...
There were more civilians working for the police, freeing officers from desk jobs.
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
Free up means the same as free.
It can handle even the most complex graphic jobs, freeing up your computer for other tasks.
9 [ADJ]
If you have a free period of time or are free at a particular time, you are not working or occupied then.
She spent her free time shopping...
I am always free at lunchtime.
10 [ADJ]
If something such as a table or seat is free, it is not being used or occupied by anyone, or is not reserved for anyone to use.
There was only one seat free on the train...
11 [ADJ] v n ADJ, v-link ADJ, oft ADJ of n
If you get something free or if it gets free, it is no longer trapped by anything or attached to anything.
He pulled his arm free, and strode for the door...
The shark was writhing around wildly, trying to get free.
12 [VERB] V n
If you free someone or something, you remove them from the place in which they have been trapped or become fixed.
It took firemen two hours to cut through the drive belt to free him...
13 [ADJ] ADJ n
When someone is using one hand or arm to hold or move something, their other hand or arm is referred to as their free one.
He snatched up the receiver and his free hand groped for the switch on the bedside lamp...
14 [ADJ] v-link ADJ with n
If you say that someone is free with something such as advice or money, you mean that they give a lot of it, sometimes when it is not wanted.
They weren't always so free with their advice...
They would often be free with criticism, some of it unjustified.
15 [PHRASE] oft PHR to-inf
You say `feel free' when you want to give someone permission to do something, in a very willing way. (INFORMAL)
If you have any questions at all, please feel free to ask me.
16 [PHRASE] PHR after v
If you do something or get something for free, you do it without being paid or get it without having to pay for it. (INFORMAL)
I wasn't expecting you to do it for free...
17
to give someone a free hand: see handfree agent (free agents)
1 [N-COUNT]
If you say that someone is a free agent, you are emphasizing that they can do whatever they want to do, because they are not responsible to anyone or for anyone.
We are not free agents; we abide by the decisions of our president.
2 [N-COUNT]
If a sports player is a free agent, he or she is free to sign a contract with any team. (AM)free and easy
also free-and-easy
[ADJ]
Someone or something that is free and easy is casual and informal.
...the free and easy atmosphere of these cafés.
= easy-going, laid-backfree en|ter|prise
[N-UNCOUNT]
Free enterprise is an economic system in which businesses compete for profit without much government control. (BUSINESS)free fall (free falls)
also free-fall
1 [N-VAR] oft into/in N
If the value or price of something goes into free fall, it starts to fall uncontrollably. (JOURNALISM)
Sterling went into free fall...
The price did a free fall.
2 [N-UNCOUNT]
In parachuting, free fall is the part of the jump before the parachute opens.free form
also free-form
[ADJ] ADJ n
A free form work of art or piece of music has not been created according to a standard style or convention.
...free-form jazz.free house (free houses)
[N-COUNT]
In Britain, a free house is a pub which is not owned by a particular company and so can sell whatever beers it chooses.free kick (free kicks)
[N-COUNT]
In a game of football, when there is a free kick, the ball is given to a member of one side to kick because a member of the other side has broken a rule.free love
[N-UNCOUNT]
A belief in free love is the belief that it is acceptable and good to have sexual relationships without marrying, often several relationships at the same time. (OLD-FASHIONED)free mar|ket (free markets)
[N-COUNT] usu sing
A free market is an economic system in which business organizations decide things such as prices and wages, and are not controlled by the government. (BUSINESS)
...the creation of a free market.
...free market economies.free pass (free passes)
[N-COUNT]
A free pass is an official document that allows a person to travel or to enter a particular building without having to pay.free port (free ports)
[N-COUNT]
A free port is a port or airport where goods can be brought in from foreign countries without payment of duty if they are going to be exported again. (BUSINESS)free radi|cal (free radicals)
[N-COUNT] usu pl
Free radicals are atoms that contain one or more unpaired electrons. Free radicals are believed to be a cause of ageing, heart disease, and some cancers. (TECHNICAL)free spir|it (free spirits)
[N-COUNT]
If you describe someone as a free spirit, you admire them because they are independent and live as they want to live rather than in a conventional way.free up
1
see free 8
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
To free up a market, economy, or system means to make it operate with fewer restrictions and controls.
...policies for freeing up markets and extending competition.free will
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
If you believe in free will, you believe that people have a choice in what they do and that their actions have not been decided in advance by God or by any other power.
...the free will of the individual.
2 [PHRASE] PHR after v
If you do something of your own free will, you do it by choice and not because you are forced to do it.
Would Bethany return of her own free will, as she had promised?
1 [ADJ]
If something is free, you can have it or use it without paying for it.
The seminars are free, with lunch provided.
...a free brochure with details of gift vouchers.
free of charge: see charge
2 [ADJ] oft ADJ to-inf
Someone or something that is free is not restricted, controlled, or limited, for example by rules, customs, or other people.
The government will be free to pursue its economic policies...
The elections were free and fair...
Economists argued that freer markets would quickly revive the region's economy...
He fears that until state subsidies are removed, Russia will never have a truly free press...
Dogs were allowed to roam free and 48 sheep were killed.
● freely [ADV] ADV with v
They cast their votes freely and without coercion on election day...
Merchandise can now circulate freely among the EU countries.
3 [VERB] V n of/from n
If you free someone of something that is unpleasant or restricting, you remove it from them.
The 30-year-old star is trying to free himself from his recording contract.
4 [ADJ] ADJ n, v-link ADJ, ADJ after v
Someone who is free is no longer a prisoner or a slave.
More than ninety prisoners have been set free so far under a government amnesty.
5 [VERB] V n, V-ed
To free a prisoner or a slave means to let them go or release them from prison.
Israel is set to free more Lebanese prisoners...
The act had a specific intent, to protect freed slaves from white mobs.
6 [ADJ] v-link ADJ of/from n
If someone or something is free of or free from an unpleasant thing, they do not have it or they are not affected by it.
...a future far more free of fear...
The filtration system provides the crew with clean air free from fumes.
7 [ADJ] v-link ADJ of n
A sum of money or type of goods that is free of tax or duty is one that you do not have to pay tax on.
see also duty-free, interest-free,
8 [VERB] V n, V n to-inf, V n from/of/for n
To free someone or something means to make them available for a task or function that they were previously not available for.
Toolbelts free both hands and lessen the risk of dropping hammers...
His deal with Disney will run out shortly, freeing him to pursue his own project...
There were more civilians working for the police, freeing officers from desk jobs.
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
Free up means the same as free.
It can handle even the most complex graphic jobs, freeing up your computer for other tasks.
9 [ADJ]
If you have a free period of time or are free at a particular time, you are not working or occupied then.
She spent her free time shopping...
I am always free at lunchtime.
10 [ADJ]
If something such as a table or seat is free, it is not being used or occupied by anyone, or is not reserved for anyone to use.
There was only one seat free on the train...
11 [ADJ] v n ADJ, v-link ADJ, oft ADJ of n
If you get something free or if it gets free, it is no longer trapped by anything or attached to anything.
He pulled his arm free, and strode for the door...
The shark was writhing around wildly, trying to get free.
12 [VERB] V n
If you free someone or something, you remove them from the place in which they have been trapped or become fixed.
It took firemen two hours to cut through the drive belt to free him...
13 [ADJ] ADJ n
When someone is using one hand or arm to hold or move something, their other hand or arm is referred to as their free one.
He snatched up the receiver and his free hand groped for the switch on the bedside lamp...
14 [ADJ] v-link ADJ with n
If you say that someone is free with something such as advice or money, you mean that they give a lot of it, sometimes when it is not wanted.
They weren't always so free with their advice...
They would often be free with criticism, some of it unjustified.
15 [PHRASE] oft PHR to-inf
You say `feel free' when you want to give someone permission to do something, in a very willing way. (INFORMAL)
If you have any questions at all, please feel free to ask me.
16 [PHRASE] PHR after v
If you do something or get something for free, you do it without being paid or get it without having to pay for it. (INFORMAL)
I wasn't expecting you to do it for free...
17
to give someone a free hand: see handfree agent (free agents)
1 [N-COUNT]
If you say that someone is a free agent, you are emphasizing that they can do whatever they want to do, because they are not responsible to anyone or for anyone.
We are not free agents; we abide by the decisions of our president.
2 [N-COUNT]
If a sports player is a free agent, he or she is free to sign a contract with any team. (AM)free and easy
also free-and-easy
[ADJ]
Someone or something that is free and easy is casual and informal.
...the free and easy atmosphere of these cafés.
= easy-going, laid-backfree en|ter|prise
[N-UNCOUNT]
Free enterprise is an economic system in which businesses compete for profit without much government control. (BUSINESS)free fall (free falls)
also free-fall
1 [N-VAR] oft into/in N
If the value or price of something goes into free fall, it starts to fall uncontrollably. (JOURNALISM)
Sterling went into free fall...
The price did a free fall.
2 [N-UNCOUNT]
In parachuting, free fall is the part of the jump before the parachute opens.free form
also free-form
[ADJ] ADJ n
A free form work of art or piece of music has not been created according to a standard style or convention.
...free-form jazz.free house (free houses)
[N-COUNT]
In Britain, a free house is a pub which is not owned by a particular company and so can sell whatever beers it chooses.free kick (free kicks)
[N-COUNT]
In a game of football, when there is a free kick, the ball is given to a member of one side to kick because a member of the other side has broken a rule.free love
[N-UNCOUNT]
A belief in free love is the belief that it is acceptable and good to have sexual relationships without marrying, often several relationships at the same time. (OLD-FASHIONED)free mar|ket (free markets)
[N-COUNT] usu sing
A free market is an economic system in which business organizations decide things such as prices and wages, and are not controlled by the government. (BUSINESS)
...the creation of a free market.
...free market economies.free pass (free passes)
[N-COUNT]
A free pass is an official document that allows a person to travel or to enter a particular building without having to pay.free port (free ports)
[N-COUNT]
A free port is a port or airport where goods can be brought in from foreign countries without payment of duty if they are going to be exported again. (BUSINESS)free radi|cal (free radicals)
[N-COUNT] usu pl
Free radicals are atoms that contain one or more unpaired electrons. Free radicals are believed to be a cause of ageing, heart disease, and some cancers. (TECHNICAL)free spir|it (free spirits)
[N-COUNT]
If you describe someone as a free spirit, you admire them because they are independent and live as they want to live rather than in a conventional way.free up
1
see free 8
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
To free up a market, economy, or system means to make it operate with fewer restrictions and controls.
...policies for freeing up markets and extending competition.free will
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
If you believe in free will, you believe that people have a choice in what they do and that their actions have not been decided in advance by God or by any other power.
...the free will of the individual.
2 [PHRASE] PHR after v
If you do something of your own free will, you do it by choice and not because you are forced to do it.
Would Bethany return of her own free will, as she had promised?