lib·er·al
(l
b
r-
l, l
b
r
l)
KEY
ADJECTIVE:
-
- Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry.
- Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded.
- Of, relating to, or characteristic of liberalism.
-
Liberal
Of, designating, or characteristic of a political party founded on or associated with principles of social and political liberalism, especially in Great Britain, Canada, and the United States.
-
- Tending to give freely; generous:
a liberal benefactor.
- Generous in amount; ample:
a liberal serving of potatoes.
- Not strict or literal; loose or approximate:
a liberal translation.
- Of, relating to, or based on the traditional arts and sciences of a college or university curriculum:
a liberal education.
-
-
Archaic
Permissible or appropriate for a person of free birth; befitting a lady or gentleman.
-
Obsolete
Morally unrestrained; licentious.
NOUN:
- A person with liberal ideas or opinions.
-
Liberal
A member of a Liberal political party.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English,
generous, from Old French, from Latin
l
ber
lis, from
lber,
free; see
leudh- in Indo-European roots
OTHER FORMS:
liber·al·ly
(Adverb),
liber·al·ness
(Noun)
SYNONYMS:
liberal
, bounteous
, bountiful
, freehanded
, generous
, handsome
, munificent
, openhanded
These adjectives mean willing or marked by a willingness to give unstintingly:
a liberal backer of the arts; a bounteous feast; bountiful compliments; a freehanded host; a generous donation; a handsome offer; a munificent gift; fond and openhanded grandparents.
See also Synonyms at
broad-minded.
Antonym:
stingy
