26984 words

liberal

20 definitions • 22 examples
1
respecting and allowing many different types of beliefs or behaviour:

Examples:

a liberal society/attitude
Her parents were far more liberal than mine.
2
believing in or allowing a lot of personal freedom, and believing that society should change gradually so that money, property, and power are shared more fairly:

Examples:

He absorbed the attitudes of his politically liberal parents.
3
believing in or allowing a lot of freedom for businesses to buy, sell, and make money without many rules or limits, and with low taxes:

Examples:

4
giving or given in a generous way:

Examples:

He was very liberal with the wine.
5
not exact; without attention to or interest in detail:

Examples:

a liberal interpretation of the law
6
someone who respects many different types of beliefs or behaviour:

Examples:

I am a liberal who believes in tolerance.
7
someone who believes in personal freedom and that society should change gradually so that money, property, and power are shared more fairly:

Examples:

She says she is proud to identify herself as a liberal and a feminist.
8
someone who believes businesses should have a lot of freedom to buy, sell, and make money without many rules or limits, and with low taxes:

Examples:

Three strands make up the party: the moderate reforming centre, the Thatcherite economic liberals, and the pro-clerical conservatives.
9
allowing many different types of beliefs or behavior:

Examples:

a liberal society/person
10
tending to emphasize the need to make new laws when necessary because of changing conditions and to depend on the government to provide social services:

Examples:

a liberal policy/position
11
giving or given in a generous way:

Examples:

Some merchants offer very liberal return policies, but others are strict.
12
without attention to or interest in small details:

Examples:

Other teachers are a lot more liberal about spelling errors than Mr. Brady.
13
a person who thinks the government needs to make new laws when necessary because of changing conditions and who believes that the government should provide social services:

Examples:

14
respecting and allowing many different types of beliefs or behaviour:

Examples:

a liberal society/attitude/view Changing attitudes to sexuality are a reflection of a more liberal society.
a liberal policy/stance The government defends its liberal policy on soft drugs.
15

Examples:

The federal government is bound to be a coalition involving the liberal party.
16
used to describe an economic system that allows industry to be free to develop without the involvement of government:

Examples:

The successes of liberal economic policies in the US and Britain act as powerful examples.
17
giving or given in a generous way:

Examples:

Terms were liberal, with small down payments and government financing.
18
not exact, and without attention to or interest in detail:

Examples:

They now take a more liberal interpretation of their powers.
19
someone who respects many different types of beliefs or behaviour:

Examples:

Liberals believe that in order to defend our own freedom we ought to defend those of our fellow citizens.
20
someone who supports personal freedom and a fairer sharing of wealth and power in society:

Examples:

He described his opponent as a liberal who would tax the rich.

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