26984 words

freer

38 definitions • 80 examples
1

Examples:

[ + to infinitive ] Am I free (= do I have permission) to leave now?
free to I'll give you a key, so you'll be free to come and go as you like.
feel free to Please feel free to interrupt me if you don't understand anything.
free election A great deal has been achieved, most notably free elections (= elections in which people can vote as they wish).
2

Examples:

The atmosphere in the office is fairly free and easy.
3
costing nothing, or not needing to be paid for:

Examples:

I got some free cinema tickets.
Members all receive a free copy of the monthly newsletter.
free of charge We will install your washing machine free of charge (= without charge).
for free You can download the app for free.
4
not a prisoner any longer, or having unlimited movement:

Examples:

She left the court a free woman after the case against her collapsed because of a legal technicality.
set someone free The new government has decided to set all political prisoners free.
go free She went free after the charges against her were dropped.
walk free I could not believe that the court would allow someone who was obviously guilty to walk free.
I let the dogs run free in the park.
5
not in a fixed position or not joined to anything:

Examples:

free of Both bookcases stand free of the wall.
The bolts have worked themselves free because of the vibrations.
free from Rescuers took several hours to cut the survivors free from the wreckage.
6
not doing anything planned or important, or available to be used:

Examples:

free time I do a lot of reading in my free time.
free to She's in a meeting at the moment, but she should be free to see you in ten minutes.
I'm working in the café all this week, but I've got a free evening next Monday.
Excuse me, is this seat free (= is anyone intending to sit in this seat)?
We queued for half an hour waiting for a free space in the car park.
If you take these bags, that will give me a free hand to open the door.
7
not having something that is unwanted or unpleasant:

Examples:

free from The organization is a charitable enterprise, so it is free from tax worldwide.
free of She'll never be completely free of the disease.
Ensure the wound is free from/of dirt before applying the bandage.
8

Examples:

He's rather free with his wife's money.
9
to use something that belongs to someone else a lot:

Examples:

Don't her parents mind her making free with their house while they're on holiday?
10
If an element is free, it is not combined with anything else or attached to anything else:

Examples:

11
to allow someone to leave a prison or place where they have been kept:

Examples:

After a ten-hour siege the gunman agreed to free the hostages.
free someone/something from something Anti-vivisectionists last night freed a number of animals from a laboratory.
12
to move or make loose someone or something that is caught or held somewhere:

Examples:

Both men were freed from the wreckage after a four-hour operation.
In vain he tried to free the rope around his hands.
13
to remove the limits or controls on someone or something:

Examples:

free someone to do something Her retirement from politics will free her (= provide her with enough time) to write her memoirs.
14
to make something available for someone to use:

Examples:

free something up Can you cancel my meetings – I need to free up the afternoon to write this report.
15
used at the end of words to mean "without having to pay":

Examples:

They agreed to let us live there rent-free.
Many banks are now offering interest-free overdrafts to students.
16
used at the end of words to mean "without":

Examples:

lead-free fuel
No working environment is entirely stress-free.
The journey was surprisingly hassle-free.
17

Examples:

[ + to infinitive ] You are free to come and go as you please.
[ + to infinitive ] Please feel free to ask questions.
Free elections will be held in two months.
18
not or no longer a prisoner or an enslaved person:

Examples:

She left the court a free woman.
In the 1700s, Mamaroneck was home to a free black community.
19
costing nothing; not needing to be paid for:

Examples:

When you buy a dinner for over $10, you get a soda free.
We will install your washing machine free of charge (= without cost).
20
not held in a fixed position or not joined to anything:

Examples:

He grabbed the free end of the rope.
Mechanics checked the plane to see if any of the bolts had worked themselves free.
21
not doing anything planned or important, or not being used:

Examples:

We have plans for Friday night but we’re free the rest of the weekend.
I do a lot of reading in my free time.
22
not having something that is unwanted or unpleasant:

Examples:

After many months of treatment, she was declared free of disease.
23
to allow someone to leave a prison or place where they have been kept:

Examples:

The hostages were all freed.
24
to release someone or something from limits or controls:

Examples:

[ + to infinitive ] The inheritance freed him to travel.
25
to release someone from something that is unwanted or unpleasant:

Examples:

He longed to be freed of all his obligations.
26
to release someone or something that is physically held or trapped:

Examples:

They worked to free the man trapped in the wreckage of his car.
27
without:

Examples:

tax-free
toll-free
The superintendent lives here rent-free.
28
costing nothing:

Examples:

They received two free return air-tickets every year.
Tomorrow, shoppers will receive free samples of the store's famous chocolate chip cookies.
free to/for sb The Bank's 3,030 ATMs would continue to be free to everyone.
29

Examples:

We know that freedom and opportunity can truly thrive in a free society that is also a responsible society.
The website spokesperson said that its opinions are protected as free speech.
be free to do sth Members of the public buying direct from an insurer are free to inquire about its security rating.
30
something that is free is available to be used because no one else is using it:

Examples:

Is this desk free?
31
not in a fixed position or not joined to anything:

Examples:

free to do sth With the autocue, your hands and head are free to communicate body language more powerfully.
32
not doing anything planned or important:

Examples:

free to do sth Are you free to attend tomorrow's board meeting?
33
not having something that is unwanted:

Examples:

free from sth Members must be free from politics and outside influences when making decisions.
free of sth They proved through testing that their products were free of contamination.
34
used to say that nothing is free even if it appears to be, for example, if someone gives you something they probably want something back from you in return
35
without having to pay for something:

Examples:

They are then given a business account free of charge by the bank.
You can access the online database for free.
36
to make something available for someone to use:

Examples:

free (up) sth The chairman has promised tough action to cut costs and free up funds to grow core businesses.
37
to remove the limits or controls on someone or something:

Examples:

free sth from sth The basic aim is to free the housing market from council control.
38
used at the end of words to mean 'without':

Examples:

It is supposed to be virtually pollution-free and produce both electricity and hydrogen.
The returns are not risk-free.
tax-/interest-/duty-free Your husband could put the money in a tax-free cash ISA.

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