Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
...freedom of speech.
They want greater political freedom.
Today we have the freedom to decide our own futures.
The United Nations Secretary-General has spoken of the need for individual freedomsand human rights.
Synonyms: independence, democracy, sovereignty, autonomy More Synonyms of freedom
2. uncountable noun [oft poss NOUN]
When prisoners or slaves are set free or escape, they gain their freedom.
...an agreement under which all hostages and detainees would gain their freedom.
Synonyms: liberty, release, discharge, emancipation More Synonyms of freedom
3. uncountable noun
Freedom from something you do not want means not being affected by it.
...all the freedom from pain that medicine could provide. [+ from]
...freedom from government control. [+ from]
Synonyms: exemption, release, relief, privilege More Synonyms of freedom
4. singular noun
The freedom of a particular city is a special honour which is given to a famous person who is connected with that city, or to someone who has performed some special service for the city.
He was given the Freedom of the City of Dublin by the Lord Mayor.
More Synonyms of freedom
freedom in British English
(ˈfriːdəm)
noun
1.
personal liberty, as from slavery, bondage, serfdom, etc
2.
liberation or deliverance, as from confinement or bondage
3.
the quality or state of being free, esp to enjoy political and civil liberties
4. (usually foll by from)
the state of being without something unpleasant or bad; exemption or immunity
freedom from taxation
5.
the right or privilege of unrestricted use or access
the freedom of a city
6.
autonomy, self-government, or independence
7.
the power or liberty to order one's own actions
8. philosophy
the quality, esp of the will or the individual, of not being totally constrained; able to choose between alternative actions in identical circumstances
9.
ease or frankness of manner; candour
she talked with complete freedom
10.
excessive familiarity of manner; boldness
11.
ease and grace, as of movement; lack of effort
Word origin
Old English frēodōm
freedom in American English
(ˈfridəm)
noun
1.
the state or quality of being free
; esp.,
a.
exemption or liberation from the control of some other person or some arbitrary power; liberty; independence
b.
exemption from arbitrary restrictions on a specified civil right; civil or political liberty
freedom of speech
c.
exemption or immunity from a specified obligation, discomfort, etc.
freedom from want
d.
exemption or release from imprisonment
e.
a being able to act, move, use, etc. without hindrance or restraint
to have the freedom of the house
f.
a being able of itself to choose or determine action freely
freedom of the will
g.
ease of movement or performance; facility
h.
a being free from the usual rules, patterns, etc.
i.
frankness or easiness of manner; sometimes, an excessive frankness or familiarity
2.
a right or privilege
SYNONYMY NOTE: freedom, the broadest in scope of these words, implies the absence of hindrance, restraint,confinement, or repression [freedom of speech]; liberty, often interchangeable with , freedom, strictly connotes past or potential restriction, repression, etc. [civil liberties]; license implies freedom that consists in violating the usual rules, laws, or practices, eitherby consent [poetic license] or as an abuse of liberty [slander is license of the tongue]
OPPOSITES: repression, constraint
Word origin
ME fredom < OE freodom: see free & -dom
COBUILD Collocations
freedom
absolute freedom
allow freedom
artistic freedom
basic freedom
complete freedom
creative freedom
curb freedom
curtail freedom
defend freedom
demand freedom
democratic freedom
enjoy freedom
exercise freedom
guarantee freedom
intellectual freedom
limit freedom
media freedom
new-found freedom
personal freedom
protect freedom
relative freedom
religious freedom
relish the freedom
restrict freedom
total freedom
Examples of 'freedom' in a sentence
freedom
His sense of justice and his desire for political freedom and stability soon became apparent.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The second is the snowflake idea that each individual freedom may affect the collective.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Now there are plans to restrict freedom of speech still further.
The Sun (2017)
They will fight until they gain their freedom.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It does not involve people's rights and freedom at all.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The promise of freedom, liberty and the rights of man.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
If you want financial freedom in your final decades, you are going to have to do it yourself.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Leaving the EU would also give the government more freedom to divert farming subsidies to boost rural tourism, he added.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
They bring freedom from parental control and the opportunity to explore the world.
Crowley, Vivianne Phoenix From the Flame (1994)
Yet it grants the party great freedom.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The stage six thinker did not compromise in respecting the sanctity of life and human freedom.
Pressley, Michael & McCormick, Christine Advanced Educational Psychology For Educators, Researchers and Policymakers, (1995)
They stood for religious liberty and freedom of conscience.
Christianity Today (2000)
The move is a major victory for freedom of speech campaigners.
The Sun (2015)
This is the way to gain freedom.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
We want our freedom and we want it now.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Last month the battalion was awarded the freedom of the city in recognition of its service.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
You have no chance of reforming freedom of movement.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The focus was on freedom from outside control.
Stearns, Peter N. World History: Patterns of Change and Continuity (1995)
She is free to make her own choices and leaves you great freedom to make yours.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Few would understand the difference between freedom and rights today.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
These acts will be seen as restrictions on basic freedoms and will become the focus of resistance.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
So let me tell him: it stands for personal freedom and proper government.
The Sun (2014)
In the past, governments had this freedom.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The Manchester City star needs freedom because he can bring so many positives to the team.
The Sun (2016)
Quotations
I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say itVoltaire
Freedom is always and exclusively freedom for the one who thinks differentlyRosa LuxemburgDie Russische Revolution
We look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression ... The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way ... The third is freedom from want ... The fourth is freedom from fearFranklin D. Rooseveltannual message to Congress
Man was born free, and everywhere he is in chainsJean Jacques RousseauThe Social Contract
No human being, however great or powerful, was ever so free as a fishJohn RuskinThe Two Paths
Perfect freedom is reserved for the man who lives by his own work and in that work does what he wants to doR.G. CollingwoodSpeculum Mentis
Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, allelse followsGeorge OrwellNineteen Eighty-Four
In other languages
freedom
British English: freedom /ˈfriːdəm/ NOUN
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want.
...freedom of speech.
American English: freedom
Arabic: حُرِيَّة
Brazilian Portuguese: liberdade
Chinese: 自由
Croatian: sloboda
Czech: svoboda
Danish: frihed
Dutch: vrijheid
European Spanish: libertad
Finnish: vapaus
French: liberté
German: Freiheit
Greek: ελευθερία
Italian: libertà
Japanese: 自由
Korean: 자유
Norwegian: frihet
Polish: wolność
European Portuguese: liberdade
Romanian: libertate
Russian: свобода
Latin American Spanish: libertad
Swedish: frihet
Thai: ความเป็นอิสระ
Turkish: özgürlük
Ukrainian: свобода
Vietnamese: tự do
All related terms of 'freedom'
allow freedom
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
basic freedom
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
curb freedom
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
enjoy freedom
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
Freedom Food
(in Britain) food that is produced by farmers conforming to the guidelines for humane farming set by the Freedom Food programme set up by the RSPCA in conjunction with some major supermarkets
freedom rider
a person who participated , esp in the 1960s, in an organized tour , usually by public transport in the South, in order to protest against racism and put federal laws on integration to the test
limit freedom
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
media freedom
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
total freedom
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
curtail freedom
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
defend freedom
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
demand freedom
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
freedom fighter
If you refer to someone as a freedom fighter , you mean that they belong to a group that is trying to change the government of their country using violent methods , and you agree with or approve of this.
protect freedom
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
absolute freedom
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
academic freedom
freedom of a teacher or student to hold and express views without fear of arbitrary interference by officials
artistic freedom
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
complete freedom
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
creative freedom
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
democratic freedom
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
exercise freedom
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
guarantee freedom
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
personal freedom
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
relative freedom
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
religious freedom
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
restrict freedom
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
degree of freedom
one of the minimum number of parameters necessary to describe a state or property of a system
degrees of freedom
the number of independent variables entering into a statistical measure or frequency distribution
freedom of speech
the right of people to express their opinions publicly without governmental interference , subject to the laws against libel , incitement to violence or rebellion , etc
intellectual freedom
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
Medal of Freedom
a U.S. decoration awarded to civilians for significant aid in prosecuting a war and, since 1963, to civilians or military persons for any of various achievements
new-found freedom
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
relish the freedom
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
Sons of Freedom
a Doukhobor sect , located largely in British Columbia : notorious for its acts of terrorism in opposition to the government in the 1950s and 1960s
freedom of expression
the unrestrained right to voice ideas , opinions , etc
freedom of the city
nominal citizenship in a city, conferred as an honor upon important visitors
freedom of the press
the right to publish newspapers, magazines , books, etc. without government interference or prior censorship
freedom of the seas
the right of ships of all nations to sail the high seas in peacetime
Freedom of Information Act
a piece of legislation enacted in various countries granting the right to individuals to request free access to information held by the government
Inkatha
a South African Zulu organization founded by Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi in 1975 as a paramilitary group seeking nonracial democracy
Chinese translation of 'freedom'
freedom
(ˈfriːdəm)
n(u)
(= liberty) 自由 (zìyóu)
[of prisoner, slave, movement]自由 (zìyóu)
(political) 自由 (zìyóu)
(from poverty, disease, hunger) 免受 (miǎnshòu)
1 (noun)
Definition
self-government or independence
They want greater political freedom.
Synonyms
independence
The country gained independence in 1962.
democracy
the spread of democracy around the world
sovereignty
autonomy
They stepped up their demands for local autonomy.
self-determination
The principle of self-determination is sacred to us.
emancipation
self-government
a campaign for more self-government
home rule
autarchy
rangatiratanga (New Zealand)
2 (noun)
Definition
the right or privilege of unrestricted access
freedom of speech
Synonyms
right
a woman's right to choose
privilege
The ancient powers and privileges of the House of Commons.
entitlement
You lose your entitlement to benefit when you start work.
prerogative
I thought it was a woman's prerogative to change her mind?
3 (noun)
Definition
liberation, such as from slavery
All hostages and detainees would gain their freedom.
Synonyms
liberty
Three convictions meant three months' loss of liberty.
release
the secret negotiations necessary to secure the release of the hostages
discharge
emancipation
the emancipation of slaves in the nineteenth century
deliverance
their sudden deliverance from war
manumission
The country's manumission began in 1762.
Opposites
slavery
,
imprisonment
,
dependence
,
captivity
,
bondage
,
servitude
,
thraldom
4 (noun)
Definition
exemption or immunity
freedom from government control
Synonyms
exemption
new exemptions for students and the unwaged
release
a blessed release from the obligation to work
relief
The news will come as a great relief.
privilege
He will use parliamentary privilege to make this information public.
immunity
The police are offering immunity to witnesses who can help them.
impunity
These gangs operate with apparent impunity.
5 (noun)
Definition
the power to order one's own actions
freedom to buy and sell at the best price
Synonyms
licence
Fiction gives her licence to go where the traditional biographer would not dare to tread.
latitude
She will be given every latitude in forming a new government.
a free hand
free rein
play
a dazzling picture book which allows imaginations full play
power
range
The trees on the mountain within my range of vision had all been felled.
opportunity
ability
No one had faith in his ability to do the job.
facility
scope
He believed in giving his staff scope for initiative.
flexibility
discretion
leeway
Schoolteachers rarely have leeway to teach the way they want.
carte blanche
blank cheque
elbowroom
Opposites
restriction
,
limitation
6 (noun)
Definition
ease or frankness of manner
His freedom of manner ran contrary to the norm.
Synonyms
openness
a relationship based on openness and trust
ease
Co-stars particularly appreciate his ease on the set.
directness
She spoke with a directness that made him blush.
naturalness
Sidney's naturalness is the key to his charm.
abandon
He has splashed money around with abandon.
familiarity
Close personal familiarity between councillors and staff can prove embarrassing.
candour
He spoke with disarming candour about his childhood.
frankness
The reaction to his frankness was hostile.
informality
He was overwhelmed by their cheerfulness and friendly informality.
casualness
ingenuousness
lack of restraint or reserve
unconstraint
Opposites
caution
,
restraint
7 (noun)
Synonyms
overfamiliarity
licence
presumption
He had the presumption to answer me back.
disrespect
boldness
impertinence
The impertinence of the boy is phenomenal!
laxity
brazenness
forwardness
I was taken aback by your forwardness.
Opposites
respectfulness
related words
related maniaeleutheromania
Quotations
I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it [Voltaire]Freedom is always and exclusively freedom for the one who thinks differently [Rosa Luxemburg – Die Russische Revolution]We look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression ... The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way ... The third is freedom from want ... The fourth is freedom from fear [Franklin D. Roosevelt – annual message to Congress]Man was born free, and everywhere he is in chains [Jean Jacques Rousseau – The Social Contract]No human being, however great or powerful, was ever so free as a fish [John Ruskin – The Two Paths]Perfect freedom is reserved for the man who lives by his own work and in that work does what he wants to do [R.G. Collingwood – Speculum Mentis]Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows [George Orwell – Nineteen Eighty-Four]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of abandon
He has splashed money around with abandon.
Synonyms
recklessness,
dash,
wildness,
wantonness,
wild impulse,
unrestraint,
careless freedom
in the sense of ability
Definition
possession of the necessary skill or power to do something
No one had faith in his ability to do the job.
Synonyms
capability,
power,
potential,
facility,
capacity,
qualification,
competence,
proficiency,
competency,
potentiality
in the sense of autonomy
Definition
freedom to determine one's own actions and behaviour
They stepped up their demands for local autonomy.
Synonyms
independence,
freedom,
sovereignty,
self-determination,
self-government,
self-rule,
self-sufficiency,
home rule,
rangatiratanga (New Zealand)
Synonyms of 'freedom'
freedom
Explore 'freedom' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of self-government
Definition
the government of a country, nation, or community by its own people