Liberal Definition
lĭbər-əl, lĭbrəl
liberals
adjective
Suitable for a freeman; not restricted.
Webster's New World
Favoring reform, open to new ideas, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; not bound by traditional thinking; broad-minded.
American Heritage
Of, relating to, or characteristic of liberalism.
American Heritage
Giving freely; generous.
Webster's New World
Large or plentiful; ample; abundant.
A liberal reward.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
noun
liberals
A person who is liberal or who favors liberalism.
Webster's New World
A member of a Liberal political party.
Webster's New World
One with liberal views, supporting individual liberty (see Wikipedia's article on Liberalism).
Wiktionary
(UK) One who favors individual voting rights, human and civil rights, individual gun rights, and laissez-faire markets (also called "classical liberal"; compare libertarian).
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
pronoun
(politics) A member or supporter of a Liberal Party.
Wiktionary
(UK, dated) A Whig.
Wiktionary
Other Word Forms of Liberal
Noun
Singular:
liberalPlural:
liberalists, liberalsOrigin of Liberal
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The adjective is from Old French liberal, from Latin liberalis (“befitting a freeman"), from liber (“free"); it is attested since the 14th century. The noun is first attested in the 1800s.
From Wiktionary
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Middle English generous from Old French from Latin līberālis from līber free leudh- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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