liberty
LIHB-ih-tee
Liberty (noun) means Freedom from oppressive restriction or control; the state of being free to act, speak, or believe as one chooses. Example: “The revolution was fought in the name of liberty and equality.”
noun
1
Freedom from oppressive restriction or control; the state of being free to act, speak, or believe as one chooses.
"The revolution was fought in the name of liberty and equality."
"Freedom of speech is a cornerstone of civil liberty."
"Citizens should have the liberty to choose their own beliefs."
2
Freedom from imprisonment, slavery, or forced confinement.
"After years in prison, he finally tasted liberty again."
"The wrongly accused man was set at liberty after the appeal."
"The escaped parrot enjoyed its liberty in the garden for hours."
3
A short period of shore leave granted to a sailor.
"The crew was given liberty for the weekend while the ship was in port."
"The sailors spent their liberty exploring the markets of the port town."
"Liberty ends at midnight, so be back on board by then."
How to use liberty
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFreedom — from oppression, imprisonment, or restriction — often used in political or philosophical contexts.
Common pairings
take the liberty of
civil liberty
at liberty
liberty of speech
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Word forms
- Plural
- liberties
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The revolution was fought in the name of _____ and equality.
Etymology
From Old French liberté, from Latin libertas, "freedom," from liber, "free."
Synonyms
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independence
autonomy
self-determination
emancipation
latitude
license
indecorum
impropriety
familiarity
freedom
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for liberty
See all rhymes for liberty →Frequently asked questions
What does “liberty” mean?
The word “liberty” means freedom from oppressive restriction or control; the state of being free to act, speak, or believe as one chooses. In plain terms, freedom — from oppression, imprisonment, or restriction — often used in political or philosophical contexts.
How do you pronounce “liberty”?
“Liberty” is pronounced LIHB-ih-tee (/ˈlɪb.ɚ.ti/ in IPA).
How do you use “liberty” in a sentence?
Here is “liberty” used in a sentence: “The revolution was fought in the name of liberty and equality.”
What is another word for “liberty”?
Words with a similar meaning to “liberty” include freedom.
What part of speech is “liberty”?
“Liberty” is a noun.
Where does the word “liberty” come from?
The word “liberty” comes from Latin. From Old French liberté, from Latin libertas, "freedom," from liber, "free.".
Is “liberty” a common word?
“Liberty” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “liberty” have?
“Liberty” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: freedom from oppressive restriction or control; the state of being free to act, speak, or believe as one chooses.
What is the difference between liberty and freedom?
Liberty and freedom both describe the state of being free to act, speak, or believe as one chooses. In practice, liberty often carries a more formal, legal, or political tone (as in civil liberties), while freedom is the broader, more everyday word.
Is liberty countable or uncountable?
Liberty is usually uncountable when it means freedom in general ("the fight for liberty"). It becomes countable when it refers to specific rights or freedoms, as in "civil liberties."
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