Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » liberal

liberal

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

Liberal is defined as something that is not restricted.

(adjective)

An example of liberal is an education covering a wide range of subjects.

Liberal means something that is generous or large.

(adjective)

An example of liberal is a sizable amount of money given to charity.

A liberal is someone who is open-minded and progressive in their views.

(adjective)

An example of liberal is someone who likes new ideas that will bring progress even if they are not traditional.

The definition of a liberal is a member of a liberal political party.

(noun)

An example of liberal is someone who belongs to the Green Party.

See liberal in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

suitable for a freeman; not restricted: now only in liberal arts, liberal education, etc.
giving freely; generous
large or plentiful; ample; abundant: a liberal reward
☆ not restricted to the literal meaning; not strict: a liberal interpretation of the Bible
tolerant of views differing from one's own; broad-minded; specif., not orthodox
of democratic or republican forms of government, as distinguished from monarchies, aristocracies, etc.
favoring reform or progress, as in religion, education, etc.; specif., favoring political reforms tending toward democracy and personal freedom for the individual; progressive
designating or of a political party upholding liberal principles, esp. such a party in England or Canada
Obsolete excessively free or indecorous in behavior; licentious

Origin: OFr < L liberalis < liber, free < IE base *leudhero-, belonging to the people, free < base *leudh-, to grow up, rise > Ger leute, people, OE leodan, to grow

noun

a person favoring liberalism
a member of a liberal political party

Related Forms:

liberally adverb
liberalness noun

See liberal in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

a. Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry.
b. Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded.
c. Of, relating to, or characteristic of liberalism.
d. Liberal Of, designating, or characteristic of a political party founded on or associated with principles of social and political liberalism, especially in Great Britain, Canada, and the United States.
a. Tending to give freely; generous: a liberal benefactor.
b. Generous in amount; ample: a liberal serving of potatoes.
Not strict or literal; loose or approximate: a liberal translation.
Of, relating to, or based on the traditional arts and sciences of a college or university curriculum: a liberal education.
a. Archaic Permissible or appropriate for a person of free birth; befitting a lady or gentleman.
b. Obsolete Morally unrestrained; licentious.