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noun

libertine

LIHB-uh-teen
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Libertine (noun) means a person, especially a man, who ignores conventional moral standards and pursues pleasure freely. Example: “The novel's hero is a notorious libertine who charms and abandons a string of lovers.”

noun
1
A person, especially a man, who ignores conventional moral standards and pursues pleasure freely.
"The novel's hero is a notorious libertine who charms and abandons a string of lovers."
adj
1
Morally unrestrained; given to indulgence and disregard for conventional standards.
"The court had a reputation for libertine excess."

How to use libertine

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who lives by their own rules, especially when it comes to sex and pleasure, ignoring social morals.

When to use it

Often used with a slightly literary or old-fashioned flavour, especially in historical fiction.

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Word forms

Plural
libertines
Comparative
more libertine
Superlative
most libertine
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The novel's hero is a notorious _____ who charms and abandons a string of lovers.

Etymology

From Latin libertinus, "a freedman" (a former slave), from liber, "free." The word shifted from describing legal freedom to describing moral looseness.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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debauched degraded profligate dissipated riotous fast degenerate dissolute adulterer bed-hopper carpetmonger chamberer

Antonyms

celibate celibatist monogamist virgin

Related words

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Rhymes for libertine

nine mine wine line sine dine fine thine shine Rhine Maine seine
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Frequently asked questions

What does “libertine” mean?
The word “libertine” means a person, especially a man, who ignores conventional moral standards and pursues pleasure freely. In plain terms, someone who lives by their own rules, especially when it comes to sex and pleasure, ignoring social morals.
How do you pronounce “libertine”?
“Libertine” is pronounced LIHB-uh-teen (/ˈlɪb.ɚ.tin/ in IPA).
How do you use “libertine” in a sentence?
Here is “libertine” used in a sentence: “The novel's hero is a notorious libertine who charms and abandons a string of lovers.”
What is another word for “libertine”?
Words with a similar meaning to “libertine” include adulterer, bed-hopper, carpetmonger, chamberer, debauchee and debaucher.
What is the opposite of “libertine”?
The opposite of “libertine” — its antonyms — are celibate, celibatist, monogamist and virgin.
What part of speech is “libertine”?
Depending on how it is used, “libertine” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “libertine” come from?
The word “libertine” comes from Latin. From Latin libertinus, "a freedman" (a former slave), from liber, "free." The word shifted from describing legal freedom to describing moral looseness.
How many meanings does “libertine” have?
“Libertine” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person, especially a man, who ignores conventional moral standards and pursues pleasure freely.

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