freely
adverb /ˈfriːli/
/ˈfriːli/
- without anyone trying to prevent or control something
- the country’s first freely elected president
- EU citizens can travel freely between member states.
- the right to worship freely
- Prices are higher than they would be if market forces were allowed to operate freely.
- without anything stopping the movement or flow of something
- When the gate is raised, the water can flow freely.
- Traffic is now moving more freely following an earlier accident.
- The book is now freely available in the shops (= it is not difficult to get a copy).
- Once into the open street they could breathe more freely.
- (figurative) The wine flowed freely (= there was a lot of it to drink).
- in an honest way without worrying about what people will say or do
- For the first time he was able to speak freely without the fear of reprisals against his family.
- without trying to avoid the truth even though it might be unpleasant or embarrassing
- I freely admit that I made a mistake.
- Both players freely acknowledge that money was a major incentive.
- in a willing and generous way
- Millions of people gave freely in response to the appeal for the victims of the earthquake.
- She has always given freely of her time.
- a piece of writing that is translated freely is not translated exactly but the general meaning is given