freelance
Freelance (noun) means a person who works independently for different clients rather than being employed long-term by one company. Example: “She left her office job to become a full-time freelance writer.”
How to use freelance
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWorking for yourself, taking on jobs from different clients instead of having one employer.
Word forms
more freelance comparative, freelanced past tense, freelances plural, freelances singular, most freelance superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She left her office job to become a full-time _____ writer.
Etymology
Coined by Sir Walter Scott in his 1819 novel Ivanhoe, originally describing a medieval mercenary knight whose "lance" (weapon and services) was not sworn to any single lord. The word later shifted to its modern sense of independent, self-employed work.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for freelance
See all rhymes for freelance →Frequently asked questions
What does “freelance” mean?
The word “freelance” means a person who works independently for different clients rather than being employed long-term by one company. In plain terms, working for yourself, taking on jobs from different clients instead of having one employer.
How do you pronounce “freelance”?
“Freelance” is pronounced FREE-lahns (/ˈfɹiˌlæns/ in IPA).
How do you use “freelance” in a sentence?
Here is “freelance” used in a sentence: “She left her office job to become a full-time freelance writer.”
What part of speech is “freelance”?
Depending on how it is used, “freelance” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “freelance” come from?
The word “freelance” dates back to around 1819.
Is “freelance” a common word?
“Freelance” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “freelance” have?
“Freelance” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who works independently for different clients rather than being employed long-term by one company.
What is the difference between freelance and self-employed?
Freelance specifically describes someone who works independently for multiple different clients rather than one employer, often on a project-by-project basis. Self-employed is the broader legal and tax term covering anyone who runs their own business, including freelancers, sole traders, and business owners with staff.
Is freelance a job title or a way of working?
Freelance describes a way of working rather than a specific job title; a person can freelance as a writer, designer, developer, or in almost any profession. The word functions as a noun for the person, an adjective describing the work arrangement, and a verb for the act of working this way.
What is the difference between freelance and contractor?
Freelance usually implies short-term, often creative or knowledge-based work for several clients at once, while contractor is a wider term that can include longer, single-client engagements in construction, IT, or other trades. In practice the terms overlap heavily and are often used interchangeably.