Home Synonyms free

Synonyms of free in English:

free


See US English definition of free

See UK English definition of free

See Spanish definition of libre

adjective

1‘elementary education should be free’

SYNONYMS
without charge, free of charge, for nothing, complimentary, gratis, gratuitous, at no cost
informal for free, on the house
ANTONYMS

paid for, expensive

2‘she was free of any pressures’

SYNONYMS
unencumbered by, unaffected by, clear of, without, devoid of, lacking in
exempt from, not liable to, safe from, immune to, relieved of, released from, excused of, exempted from
rid of
informal sans, minus
ANTONYMS

encumbered by

3‘he will be free at the weekend’

SYNONYMS
unoccupied, not at work, not working, not busy, not tied up, between appointments, off duty, off work, off, on leave, on annual leave
idle, at leisure, with time on one's hands, with time to spare
available, contactable
British on holiday
ANTONYMS

occupied, unavailable

4‘he found a free seat on the bus’

SYNONYMS
vacant, empty, available, spare, unoccupied, untaken, unfilled, unused, not in use
uninhabited, tenantless
informal up for grabs
ANTONYMS

occupied, engaged, taken

5‘a citizen of a proud free nation’

SYNONYMS
independent, self-governing, self-governed, self-ruling, self-legislating, self-determining, self-directing, non-aligned, sovereign, autonomous, autarkic, democratic, emancipated, enfranchised
self-sufficient
historical manumitted
ANTONYMS

dependent

6‘a known child killer is still free’

SYNONYMS
on the loose, at liberty, at large
loose, unconfined, unbound, untied, unchained, untethered, unshackled, unfettered, unrestrained, unsecured
ANTONYMS

captive

7‘people are free to choose where they wish to live’

SYNONYMS
able to, in a position to, capable of
allowed, permitted, unrestricted
ANTONYMS

unable

8‘the free flow of water between adjoining tanks’

SYNONYMS
unobstructed, unimpeded, unrestricted, unhampered, unlimited, clear, open, unblocked
ANTONYMS

obstructed

9‘she caught the free end of the rope’

SYNONYMS
unattached, unfastened, unsecured, unhitched, untied, uncoupled, not fixed, detached, loose
ANTONYMS

attached

10‘she was always free with her money’

SYNONYMS
generous, lavish, liberal, open-handed, unstinting, giving, munificent, bountiful, bounteous, charitable, extravagant, prodigal

11‘he was known for his free and hearty manner’

SYNONYMS
easy-going, free and easy, tolerant, liberal, permissive, indulgent, relaxed, casual, informal, unceremonious, unforced, natural, open, frank, spontaneous, uninhibited, artless, ingenuous
good-humoured, affable, friendly
informal laid-back, unflappable
ANTONYMS

strained, formal

12‘the children were rather too free with us’

SYNONYMS
impudent, impertinent, disrespectful
familiar, overfamiliar, over-free, presumptuous, forward, bold, assertive
informal cheeky, cocky, pushy
ANTONYMS

polite


verb

1‘the government freed all political prisoners’

SYNONYMS
release, liberate, discharge, emancipate, set free, let go, set at liberty, set loose, let loose, turn loose, deliver
untie, unchain, unfetter, unshackle, unmanacle, uncage, unleash
spare, pardon, reprieve, clear
informal let off, let off the hook
literary disenthral
historical manumit
ANTONYMS

confine, lock up

2‘earthquake victims had to be freed by firefighters’

SYNONYMS
extricate, extract, disentangle, disentwine, disengage, disencumber, loosen, release, remove, get out, pull out, pull free, get loose, get free
rescue, set free
ANTONYMS

trap

3‘they wish to be freed from all legal ties’

SYNONYMS
exempt, make exempt, except, excuse, absolve
relieve of, absolve of, unburden of, disburden of
strip of
rare dispense from

Phrases

    a free hand

    ‘he was allowed a free hand in appointing new staff’


    SYNONYMS
    free rein, freedom, licence, latitude, leeway, scope, flexibility
    liberty, independence
    carte blanche
    make free with

    ‘he was unhappy about her making free with his belongings’


    SYNONYMS
    help oneself to, take, take possession of, take over, hijack, appropriate, steal
    use without asking, treat without respect
    informal walk off with
    British informal nick, pinch
    free spirit

    ‘you're too much of a free spirit for him’


    SYNONYMS
    individualist, individual, nonconformist, unorthodox person, unconventional person, original, eccentric, bohemian, maverick, rare bird, rarity
    lone wolf, outsider
    rara avis
    free and easy

    ‘the restaurant has a free and easy atmosphere’


    SYNONYMS
    easy-going, relaxed, casual, informal, unceremonious, unforced, natural, open, spontaneous, uninhibited, friendly
    breezy, airy, jaunty, carefree
    informal laid-back, upbeat
    ANTONYMS

    formal