free

Definitions


[friː], (Adjective)

Definitions:
- able to act or be done as one wishes; not under the control of another
(e.g: I have no ambitions other than to have a happy life and be free)

- not or no longer confined or imprisoned
(e.g: the researchers set the birds free)

- not subject to engagements or obligations
(e.g: she spent her free time shopping)

- not subject to or affected by (something undesirable)
(e.g: our salsas are free of preservatives)

- given or available without charge
(e.g: free healthcare)

- using or expending something without restraint; lavish
(e.g: she was always free with her money)

- (of literature or music) not observing the normal conventions of style or form

- (of the wind) blowing from a favourable direction to the side or aft of a vessel


Phrases:
- a free hand
- a free ride
- for free
- free and easy
- free on board
- free, gratis, and for nothing
- it's a free country
- make free with
- run free
- the free world
- walk free

Origin:
Old English frēo (adjective), frēon (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch vrij and German frei, from an Indo-European root meaning ‘to love’, shared by friend


[friː], (Adverb)

Definitions:
- without cost or payment
(e.g: ladies were admitted free)

- with the sheets eased
(e.g: I kept her off the wind and sailing free until I had all square forward)


Phrases:
- a free hand
- a free ride
- for free
- free and easy
- free on board
- free, gratis, and for nothing
- it's a free country
- make free with
- run free
- the free world
- walk free

Origin:
Old English frēo (adjective), frēon (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch vrij and German frei, from an Indo-European root meaning ‘to love’, shared by friend


[friː], (Verb)

Definitions:
- release from confinement or slavery
(e.g: they were freed from jail)

- remove something undesirable or restrictive from
(e.g: his inheritance freed him from financial constraints)

- make available for a particular purpose
(e.g: we are freeing management time for alternative work)


Phrases:
- a free hand
- a free ride
- for free
- free and easy
- free on board
- free, gratis, and for nothing
- it's a free country
- make free with
- run free
- the free world
- walk free

Origin:
Old English frēo (adjective), frēon (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch vrij and German frei, from an Indo-European root meaning ‘to love’, shared by friend




definition by Oxford Dictionaries