freely
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for freely, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adv — Without restriction or interference.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use freely
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English freolic, related to "free" plus the adverb-forming suffix "-ly."
Full origin of freely →Frequently asked questions
What does “freely” mean?
The word “freely” means without restriction or interference. In plain terms, in a way that's unrestricted, or done willingly and openly.
How do you pronounce “freely”?
“Freely” is pronounced FREE-lee (/ˈfɹili/ in IPA).
How do you use “freely” in a sentence?
Here is “freely” used in a sentence: “Citizens are allowed to travel freely between the two countries.”
What part of speech is “freely”?
“Freely” is an adverb.
Where does the word “freely” come from?
The word “freely” comes from Old English. From Old English freolic, related to "free" plus the adverb-forming suffix "-ly.".
Is “freely” a common word?
“Freely” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “freely” have?
“Freely” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: without restriction or interference.
What is the difference between "free" and "freely" as adverbs?
As an adverb, free most often means without payment — "children travel free" — while freely means without restriction ("the animals roam freely") or willingly ("she freely admits it"). "Roam free" is also idiomatic, but note that "travel freely" means travelling without restriction, not travelling at no cost.
Does "freely available" mean the same as "free"?
Not exactly. Freely available primarily means available without restriction or interference — easy for anyone to obtain. In practice it usually implies no charge as well, but the emphasis is on unrestricted access rather than on price.