free
free — verb
1. to let a person or animal leave a place where they are being kept against their
to let a person or animal leave a place where they are being kept against their will, such as a prison, cage, or locked room
The judge ordered the court to free Gabriela after her legal team presented new evidence.
free + person (legal context)
Aoi was finally freed from the kidnappers' hideout after the police raid last night.
passive: be freed from + place of confinement
Animal rights volunteers worked to free the bears from cages at the old zoo.
free + animal + from + enclosure
The new government freed all political prisoners during the first week of its term.
- free prisoners
- free hostages
- free slaves
- free captives
- free the animals
Grammar Patterns
free + noun phrase (person/animal being released)
be freed from + place of confinement
Usage Note
Frequent in legal, political, and human-rights contexts. Often found in passive constructions: 'be freed from prison / captivity / custody.' The direct object is always the being who is confined, not the place.
Common Mistakes
2. to remove something that is trapped, tangled, or stuck in a tight space, or to h
to remove something that is trapped, tangled, or stuck in a tight space, or to help a person or animal get out of such a position
A firefighter used tools to free the driver from the crushed car after the crash.
free + person + from + vehicle
Élise gently freed her long hair from the tangled brush while watching television.
Ryan dug around the root to free the old fence post from the ground.
free + object + from + location
A passing sailor helped free the fishing boat stuck on the sandbank near the harbour.
Reema carefully freed the kitten whose paw was caught in the garden fence.
free + animal + from + trapped position
- free a jammed zipper
- free a stuck drawer
- free a trapped animal
- free tangled wires
- free a caught paw
Grammar Patterns
free + noun phrase + from + noun phrase (the thing causing the problem)
Usage Note
The direct object can be a person, animal, or inanimate object. Almost always followed by 'from' + the location or thing causing the obstruction. 'Free' in this sense focuses on the act of removing the obstacle rather than simply releasing.
Common Mistakes
3. to take away restrictions, duties, or problems from someone or something so that
to take away restrictions, duties, or problems from someone or something so that they can operate or live more easily
The inheritance freed Folake and her brother from all their family debts.
free + person + from + financial burden
The new school system freed teachers from many hours of unnecessary paperwork each week.
Buying a dishwasher freed Mira from hours of kitchen work every single evening.
free + person + from + chore/duty
The court freed the company from its contract after the other side broke the agreement.
- free from debt
- free from obligation
- free from worry
- free from restrictions
- free of charge
Grammar Patterns
free + noun phrase + from + burden/obligation
free + noun phrase + of + obligation/duty
free + noun phrase + to do something
Usage Note
Subject can be a person, event, system, or object that removes the restriction. Frequently followed by 'from' (for burdens, worries, debts) or 'of' (for duties, obligations). Also commonly followed by 'to' + infinitive indicating the new freedom gained: 'freed them to focus on more important work.'
Common Mistakes
4. to make money, time, space, or other resources no longer occupied or committed s
to make money, time, space, or other resources no longer occupied or committed so that they can be used for a different purpose
Selling that old warehouse freed enough cash for Evelyn to start her own business.
free + funds + for + purpose
Aylin freed up some time in her afternoon schedule to meet with the new designer.
phrasal verb: free up + time
The bank agreed to free the investment funds once Matthew submitted all the required documents.
Cutting the morning meeting short freed the conference room for the workshop at two o'clock.
Apinya freed up storage space by moving old files to the cloud server.
free up + space (technology context)
- free up time
- free up resources
- free up space
- free up cash
- free up staff
- free up funds
- make available
more formal and descriptive, often used in official contexts
- clear
for space or a schedule; e.g., 'clear a slot in my calendar'
- release
for funds, documents, or information that was previously held back
Grammar Patterns
free up + noun phrase (time/money/space)
free + noun phrase + for + purpose
free up + noun phrase + for + noun phrase
Usage Note
Very commonly used with the particle 'up': 'free up.' The object is typically an abstract or physical resource — time, money, space, staff, funds, capacity. This sense is frequent in business, finance, and everyday planning contexts.
Common Mistakes
free up
phrasal verbto make time, money, space, or other resources available for use by removing what is currently using them
Matthew freed up his entire weekend by finishing the report on Thursday night.
The company plans to sell several buildings to free up cash for new technology.
free someone's hands
idiomto give someone the authority or freedom to make decisions and take action without restrictions
The board's decision to promote Gabriela freed her hands to reorganise the whole department.
By changing the company policy, the CEO freed his managers' hands to hire whoever they thought was best.
free — adjective
1. able to act, speak, or make decisions without being stopped or controlled by oth
able to act, speak, or make decisions without being stopped or controlled by others or by rules — for example, living in a country where citizens can choose their leaders and express their opinions openly.
In a free country, people can say what they think without fear.
free + noun for a country with democratic rights
Children feel free to express their ideas in Ms. Chen's classroom.
Vikram believes that free speech is important for every citizen.
After the new law passed, the press became much freer than before.
The internet gives people a free flow of information across borders.
- free country
- free speech
- free press
- free election
- free society
- free trade
- feel free to
- free from fear
- unrestricted
more formal; used for rules and limits rather than personal freedom
- independent
focuses on self-governance; often used for countries or people not controlled by others
- liberated
stronger emotional tone; suggests being freed from oppression
- restricted
has limits or rules that prevent certain actions
- controlled
managed or directed by someone else
- oppressed
kept down by unfair or cruel use of power
Grammar Patterns
free to + infinitive
free from/of + noun
Usage Note
Frequently in attributive position before nouns like 'country', 'speech', 'press', 'election', 'market'. The to-infinitive pattern ('free to do something') is more common in predicative use. Distinguish from sense 4 (NOT IMPRISONED): sense 1 is about liberty and rights in general, not specifically about release from captivity.
Common Mistakes
2. relaxed and not following strict rules of behaviour, customs, or formal expectat
relaxed and not following strict rules of behaviour, customs, or formal expectations — for example, a workplace where people dress casually or a conversation between friends where anything can be said openly.
The company has a free dress code, so people wear jeans and T-shirts.
free + noun (dress code / atmosphere / style)
At the party, the conversation was free and everyone felt comfortable.
Liang enjoys the free atmosphere at the local coffee shop where he works.
The school uses a free teaching style that lets students learn at their own speed.
- free dress code
- free atmosphere
- free style
- free conversation
- free and easy
Grammar Patterns
free + noun (dress code / atmosphere / style)
Usage Note
Often describes environments, social settings, or institutional cultures. Carries a positive connotation of ease and openness. Less commonly used for people ('He is very free with his opinions' — meaning he speaks openly, sometimes too openly).
3. given or available without requiring payment; not costing any money — for exampl
given or available without requiring payment; not costing any money — for example, a ticket you did not pay for or a service provided at no cost to the user.
The museum offers free admission to all visitors on the first Sunday of each month.
free + noun (admission / sample / delivery / concert)
Hugo got a free sample of the new shampoo in the mail yesterday.
Children under five travel free on city buses throughout the summer.
The park hosts free concerts every weekend during the summer months.
Anya downloaded a free app that helps her practise Spanish every day.
- free admission
- free sample
- free delivery
- free concert
- free app
- free of charge
- for free
- complimentary
more formal; often used for things given as a courtesy, like hotel toiletries or drink tickets
- gratis
formal or humorous; less common in everyday speech
- on the house
informal idiom meaning the restaurant or bar provides it without charge
Grammar Patterns
free + noun (admission / sample / delivery)
free of charge
Usage Note
Predicative use ('The concert is free') is just as common as attributive ('a free concert'). The phrase 'free of charge' is a formal alternative and often appears in written notices and advertisements. In informal speech, simply saying 'It's free' is standard.
Common Mistakes
4. no longer kept in prison, a cage, or under someone's control; able to go where o
no longer kept in prison, a cage, or under someone's control; able to go where one wants after a period of confinement — for example, a prisoner leaving jail or an animal released from a trap.
After three years in prison, the man was finally set free last Tuesday.
set free — common verb + adjective collocation for release
The rescued birds were released back into the wild, free to fly wherever they wanted.
Tariq felt free for the first time after leaving the strict boarding school.
The animal rescue group works to set farm animals free from tiny cages.
- set free
- go free
- walk free
- free at last
- free from captivity
- imprisoned
kept in prison
- captive
held as a prisoner, especially by force
- confined
kept in a restricted space
Grammar Patterns
set + noun + free
be + free
free from + noun
Usage Note
Nearly always predicative (after a linking verb like 'be', 'feel', or in the phrase 'set free'). Cannot usually go before a noun in this sense — we say 'a free man' (which blends senses 1 and 4) but rarely 'a free prisoner'. The verb 'set free' is the most common pattern for this sense. Distinguish from sense 1 (NO RESTRICTIONS): sense 4 is specifically about being released from physical confinement.
5. not attached, fastened, or fixed in place; able to move around or separate easil
not attached, fastened, or fixed in place; able to move around or separate easily from what it is normally connected to — for example, a screw that has come loose or one end of a rope that is not tied to anything.
Baraka noticed that the screw on his glasses was loose and free to move.
The free end of the rope swung back and forth in the strong wind.
free + noun (end / edge / part) — not fastened
One loose brick in the old wall came out when Quan touched it.
Make sure the free cables are not lying on the floor where people could trip.
- free end
- free edge
- free cable
- free particle
- free brick
- loose
more common in everyday speech; describes something that is not firmly fixed
- detached
suggests something has been separated from what it was attached to
- unfastened
specifically about something that was tied or buttoned
Grammar Patterns
free + noun (end / edge / part)
be + free + from/of
Usage Note
Often used for physical objects that have come loose from a fixed position. The word 'loose' is more common than 'free' for this sense in everyday conversation. 'Free' tends to appear in specific technical or descriptive contexts (the free end of a rope, free particles).
6. not busy with any planned work, duties, or arrangements; available to do somethi
not busy with any planned work, duties, or arrangements; available to do something else — for example, an evening with no meetings, or a seat that nobody is sitting in.
Dahlia is free this afternoon, so she can help you with your maths homework.
Do you have a free seat on the train, or is every place taken?
free + noun (seat / table / room / hour) — not occupied
Ramón looked at his calendar and found a free hour between meetings.
The library has a free computer that students can use without booking.
Hugo asked if the conference room was free for a two-hour workshop.
- free time
- free hour
- free moment
- free seat
- free table
- free room
- free computer
- free tonight
- free this weekend
- available
more formal; can describe people ('The doctor is available') or things ('a available seat')
- unoccupied
formal; describes seats, rooms, or buildings that nobody is using
- idle
negative connotation of not being usefully occupied; describes machines or workers, not usually a positive choice
Grammar Patterns
be + free (time/seat/room)
free + noun (time/hour/seat/table/room)
Usage Note
Predicative use ('I am free this evening') is more common than attributive. When used before a noun, typically with time-related words ('free time', 'free hour', 'free moment') or space words ('free seat', 'free table'). For a person, 'free' means not busy; for an object or space, 'free' means not being used or occupied. Distinguish from sense 3 (FREE OF CHARGE): a 'free seat' could mean either a free (unoccupied) seat or a free (costing nothing) seat — context resolves the ambiguity.
Common Mistakes
7. having none of a particular unwanted thing or condition, such as pain, debt, or
having none of a particular unwanted thing or condition, such as pain, debt, or worry
The doctor said the patient would soon be free from pain.
free from + abstract noun (e.g. pain, fear, worry)
After years of saving, the Wang family is finally free of debt.
free of + concrete state (e.g. debt, errors, charge)
The report was free of any major errors or mistakes.
Élise wants her children to grow up in a home free from violence.
- free from pain
- free from fear
- free from worry
- free of charge
- free of debt
- free of errors
- free of disease
- without
less formal; used in everyday speech
- devoid of
more formal and emphatic
- exempt from
specifically about being free of an obligation or rule
- burdened by
emphasises the unpleasant weight of something
Grammar Patterns
free from/of + noun phrase
Usage Note
Use free from for more abstract or ongoing conditions (free from fear, free from worry), and free of for more concrete or measurable absences (free of charge, free of errors, free of debt). The two are sometimes interchangeable in informal use.
Common Mistakes
8. inclined to give or use something generously, often in large amounts or more tha
inclined to give or use something generously, often in large amounts or more than others consider appropriate
Nora is always free with her advice, whether you ask for it or not.
free with + advice/opinion (giving opinions freely)
The theatre critic was rather free with his negative comments about the play.
Tariro is free with her praise whenever a colleague does good work.
Some reviewers are too free with their criticism and forget to mention what worked well.
negative connotation: excessively free with criticism
- free with advice
- free with praise
- free with criticism
- free with money
- free with opinions
- generous
always positive; free can be mildly critical
- lavish
stronger, implies spending or using a great amount
- unstinting
formal; giving without holding back
Grammar Patterns
free with + noun phrase
Usage Note
Often carries a mildly negative tone, suggesting the person gives or uses something more than is considered appropriate. Compare generous, which is always positive.
Common Mistakes
9. taking or making use of another person's things too much and without their permi
taking or making use of another person's things too much and without their permission
The new receptionist was rather free with the office supplies, taking pens home.
free with + someone else's possessions (negative connotation)
Cyrus was too free with his roommate's clothes and never asked before borrowing them.
Some guests were free with the host's best wine, finishing the most expensive bottles first.
Lakan warned his cousin not to be free with the family car without asking.
- free with someone's money
- free with someone's belongings
- free with the supplies
- free with the wine
- free with the family car
- taking liberties with
the phrasal equivalent, stronger and more critical
- presumptuous with
focuses on the attitude of overstepping boundaries
- respectful of
respectful of others' belongings
- careful with
careful with others' things
Grammar Patterns
free with + noun phrase (someone else's possessions)
Usage Note
Strongly negative. The subject is always a person, and the object after with is something belonging to another person or organisation. Do not confuse with sense 8 (generous), where the subject gives their OWN things freely.
Common Mistakes
10. existing as a separate chemical element or molecule rather than being bonded to
existing as a separate chemical element or molecule rather than being bonded to another substance
Free oxygen in the early atmosphere made it possible for animals to develop.
free + chemical element: free oxygen / free nitrogen / free radicals
The experiment measured the number of free electrons moving through the metal wire.
Free radicals can damage healthy cells in the human body over time.
In its free state, the element reacts quickly when it meets water or air.
- free oxygen
- free nitrogen
- free electrons
- free radicals
- free state
- free element
- uncombined
the precise technical synonym
- unbonded
less common but used in chemistry
Grammar Patterns
free + noun (element/gas/radical)
Usage Note
Used mainly in chemistry and biochemistry contexts. The opposite is combined or bonded. Common terms include free oxygen, free nitrogen, free electrons, and free radicals.
Common Mistakes
11. giving the general meaning or main ideas rather than following every word exactl
giving the general meaning or main ideas rather than following every word exactly (used of translations, interpretations, or adaptations)
The student produced a free translation of the ancient poem, keeping only the main ideas.
free translation = conveying general sense, not word-for-word
A free rendering of the old letter makes it easier for beginners to understand.
The original speech was very long, so the interpreter gave a free version of it.
Rachel chose a free adaptation of the novel rather than a page-by-page translation.
This is not a word-for-word copy but a free interpretation of the author's ideas.
contrast: free vs word-for-word / literal
- free translation
- free rendering
- free adaptation
- free version
- free interpretation
- loose
less formal; suggests less accuracy
- non-literal
precise but more technical
- paraphrased
focuses on rewording rather than overall liberty
- literal
following the original words exactly
- word-for-word
more emphatic than literal
- faithful
staying close to the original
Grammar Patterns
free + noun (translation/rendering/adaptation)
Usage Note
Typically modifies translation, rendering, adaptation, interpretation, or version. The opposite is literal, faithful, or word-for-word. Free translation is a standard term in translation studies.
Common Mistakes
be home and free
idiomTo have successfully finished something difficult or risky.
After passing the final exam, Mia was home and free.
Once we secure the funding, we'll be home and free.
free and easy
idiomRelaxed, informal, and without strict rules.
The party had a free and easy atmosphere with no dress code.
Diego prefers a free and easy lifestyle over a rigid schedule.
To allow someone to avoid punishment or to do something bad without consequences.
The boss gave him a free pass for being late this time.
Just because you're famous doesn't mean you get a free pass to break rules.
To have the freedom to make decisions and act as you wish.
The manager gave Sara a free hand to reorganize the team.
With a free hand in the kitchen, the chef created a new menu.
To benefit from something without paying or contributing.
He got a free ride to the concert because his friend drove.
Some students try to get a free ride by not doing their share of work.
To give someone complete freedom to act or to let a feeling be expressed without limits.
The director gave the actors full rein to improvise their lines.
In her art, she allows free rein to her imagination.
it’s a free country
idiomUsed to justify one's actions or choices, implying that people can do what they want within the law.
When asked why he wore shorts, Tom said, "It's a free country."
She dyed her hair pink because, as she put it, it's a free country.
Used to say that nothing is truly free; you always have to pay or work for what you get.
When offered a cheap deal, remember there's no such thing as a free lunch.
He learned that there's no such thing as a free lunch after the hidden fees appeared.
walk free
idiomTo be allowed to leave a court or legal situation without punishment.
The defendant was acquitted and walked free from the courtroom.
Despite the evidence, the suspect walked free due to a technicality.
free — adverb
1. in a way that is not held back, limited, or controlled; used after verbs describ
in a way that is not held back, limited, or controlled; used after verbs describing movement, escape, or release to indicate complete freedom of action.
Sirin let her dog run free across the wide-open meadow.
collocation: run free — move with no physical restraint
After years in a small cage, the birds were finally set free.
pattern: set [noun] free — release from captivity
Naoko's hair flew free in the wind as she cycled down the hill.
The horse broke free from the fence and galloped across the field.
collocation: break free — escape by force
Darius cut the rope and the boat floated free into the river.
- run free
- break free
- set free
- roam free
- wander free
- tightly
in a way that is held or secured; opposite of bodily freedom of movement
- in captivity
opposite of being set free from confinement
Grammar Patterns
run free
break free
set [noun] free
Usage Note
Always follows the verb it modifies. Compare with 'freely', which means 'willingly' or 'in large amounts' and cannot replace this sense in fixed collocations such as 'run free' or 'set free'.
Common Mistakes
2. without having to pay; at no cost; used after verbs to show that an action or se
without having to pay; at no cost; used after verbs to show that an action or service requires no payment.
Naoko flew to Tokyo free because her brother works for the airline.
pattern: verb + free — at no charge
On weekends, children under ten can enter the zoo free with a parent.
collocation: enter [place] free
Diya got into the concert free after helping staff set up the stage.
Students ride city buses free when they show their school ID card.
Lan downloaded the photo editing software free from a student website.
collocation: download [something] free
- get in free
- enter free
- travel free
- eat free
- download free
- gratis
formal synonym; less common in everyday speech
- complimentary
used as adjective only (complimentary ticket); not an adverb
Grammar Patterns
get in free
enter [place] free
travel free
download free
Usage Note
Follows the verb directly. Do not confuse with the adjective 'free' (a free ticket) or with 'freely' (which does not carry the meaning of 'without payment'). The phrase 'for free' and 'free of charge' are common alternatives, with 'for free' being more informal.
Common Mistakes
3. with the wind blowing from behind and slightly to the side of the boat, so that
with the wind blowing from behind and slightly to the side of the boat, so that the sails fill easily and the vessel moves efficiently; used after sailing verbs.
The captain steered the ship free to catch the afternoon breeze.
nautical term: verb + free — wind from behind the vessel
With the wind free, the small boat moved smoothly across the bay.
The sailor adjusted the sails once the wind came free on the port side.
collocation: wind comes free — wind shifts to favourable direction
Nellie learned to sail free during her first week at the sailing school.
- sail free
- come free
- run free
- close-hauled
sailing with the wind from ahead; the opposite wind condition
Grammar Patterns
sail free
come free
Usage Note
Restricted to nautical contexts describing wind direction and sail trim. The opposite term is 'close-hauled' (sailing into the wind). Most learners will not encounter this sense outside of specialised sailing instruction.
free — suffix
1. added after a noun to form an adjective (or sometimes an adverb) describing some
added after a noun to form an adjective (or sometimes an adverb) describing something that does not require any money for that particular service, product, or charge.
Chidi bought whiskey at the duty-free shop before boarding his flight.
duty-free shop — common compound
Students can live rent-free in the dormitories during their first year.
live rent-free — noun+-free → adverb
Call the toll-free number to speak with a customer service agent.
toll-free number — common collocation
Élise received tax-free childcare vouchers from her employer.
tax-free — noun+-free before another noun
- duty-free shop
- toll-free number
- tax-free allowance
- rent-free accommodation
- fare-free travel
Grammar Patterns
[noun]-free
Usage Note
Occasionally used as an adverb after a verb (live rent-free, travel fare-free).
Common Mistakes
2. added after a noun to form an adjective meaning that something does not contain
added after a noun to form an adjective meaning that something does not contain a particular substance or is not affected by a particular problem.
Lucía drinks sugar-free soda to manage her blood sugar levels.
sugar-free — describing what a product lacks
The hospital became a smoke-free zone three years ago.
smoke-free zone — common collocation
Quan follows a gluten-free diet because of his wheat allergy.
gluten-free diet — common health compound
Shirin described her recovery from surgery as completely pain-free.
pain-free with intensifier 'completely'
Hui installed a software update that made the computer run trouble-free.
trouble-free — noun+-free → adverb after verb
- sugar-free drinks
- smoke-free area
- gluten-free products
- pain-free recovery
- trouble-free operation
- worry-free holiday
Grammar Patterns
[noun]-free
Usage Note
This sense overlaps with the adjective sense 7 ('without something unwanted'). The difference is structural: the suffix form creates a single compound that can be used attributively before a noun (a smoke-free zone), whereas the adjective form takes a separate complement (a zone free of smoke).
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: adjective/1
Free (adjective/1) means having the ability to act or speak without control. Unrestricted is more formal and focuses on the absence of rules or limits (unrestricted access to the building). Liberated carries a stronger emotional tone, suggesting freedom from oppression or repression (a liberated woman). Loose is different: it describes physical things not firmly fixed (a loose tooth) or behaviour that lacks discipline, not political freedom. Complimentary belongs to a different sense (adjective/3, FREE OF CHARGE) and means given free as a courtesy (complimentary breakfast). In the verb domain, release is the most common alternative (release a prisoner), while liberate is formal and political, and let go is informal and often emotional (she let go of the balloon).
Common collocations
Nouns
- free speech
- free time
- free market
- free will
- free trade
- free world
- free choice
Adverbs
- completely free
- entirely free
- relatively free
- totally free
- perfectly free
Phrases
- feel free to
- free of charge
- for free
- free and easy
- free from harm
- free from worry
Prepositions
- free from
- free of
- free with
Etymology
Free comes from Old English frēo, which meant “not in bondage” or “acting of one’s own will.” This ancient word is related to friend — both come from a Germanic root *frija- meaning “beloved” or “not in servitude.” The idea was that a free person was one who was dear to the family or tribe, not a slave. Over centuries the meaning expanded: by the 1300s it was used for things costing nothing (a free gift), and later for positions or resources that are not occupied (a free seat, free time).