liberal
9 synonyms and 0 antonyms for liberal, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Generous, open-handed, or given freely and in large amounts.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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 liberal
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French liberal, from Latin liberalis, "befitting a free person," from liber, "free." The political sense (someone favouring reform and personal liberty) only developed much later, in the 1800s.
Full origin of liberal →Frequently asked questions
What does “liberal” mean?
The word “liberal” means generous, open-handed, or given freely and in large amounts. In plain terms, generous, open-minded, or — in politics — in favour of reform and personal freedoms.
How do you pronounce “liberal”?
“Liberal” is pronounced LIHB-ruhl (/ˈlɪb.(ə.)ɹəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “liberal” in a sentence?
Here is “liberal” used in a sentence: “He was liberal with his praise, always encouraging the junior staff.”
What part of speech is “liberal”?
Depending on how it is used, “liberal” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “liberal” come from?
The word “liberal” dates back to around 1800 and comes from Latin. From Old French liberal, from Latin liberalis, "befitting a free person," from liber, "free." The political sense (someone favouring reform and personal liberty) only developed much later, in the 1800s.
Is “liberal” a common word?
“Liberal” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “liberal” have?
“Liberal” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: generous, open-handed, or given freely and in large amounts.
What does 'liberal' mean when it isn't about politics?
Outside politics, liberal means generous, plentiful, or freely given. A liberal helping of food is a large one, and someone liberal with praise gives it readily. It suggests openness and abundance rather than restraint, pouring or offering something in generous amounts without holding back.
What is an example of 'liberal' meaning generous?
"She was liberal with her time," "add a liberal amount of butter," and "he gave liberal donations to the school" all use this sense. In each, liberal describes something offered freely and in large quantity, the very opposite of stingy or sparing.
What is the difference between the two meanings of 'liberal'?
In politics, liberal describes views favouring individual freedom, reform, or, in the United States, the political left. In everyday use, it simply means generous or plentiful, as in a liberal serving. Both senses share a root idea of openness, but the context makes clear which is meant.
What is the opposite of 'liberal' in this sense?
When liberal means generous or abundant, its opposites are words like stingy, sparing, meagre, mean, or frugal. A liberal helping is large and freely given, while a meagre or sparing one is small and carefully limited. The contrast is between openhandedness and restraint.