liberal
favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.
(often initial capital letter) noting or pertaining to a political party advocating measures of progressive political reform.
of, pertaining to, based on, or advocating liberalism, especially the freedom of the individual and governmental guarantees of individual rights and liberties.
favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible, especially as guaranteed by law and secured by governmental protection of civil liberties.
favoring or permitting freedom of action, especially with respect to matters of personal belief or expression: a liberal policy toward dissident artists and writers.
of or relating to representational forms of government rather than aristocracies and monarchies.
free from prejudice or bigotry; tolerant: a liberal attitude toward foreigners.
open-minded or tolerant, especially free of or not bound by traditional or conventional ideas, values, etc.
characterized by generosity and willingness to give in large amounts: a liberal donor.
given freely or abundantly; generous: a liberal donation.
not strict or rigorous; not literal; free: a liberal interpretation of a rule.
of, relating to, or based on the liberal arts.
of, relating to, or befitting a freeman.
a person of liberal principles or views, especially in politics or religion.
(often initial capital letter) a member of a liberal party in politics, especially of the Liberal party in Great Britain.
Origin of liberal
1synonym study For liberal
Other words for liberal
Opposites for liberal
Other words from liberal
- lib·er·al·ly, adverb
- lib·er·al·ness, noun
- an·ti·lib·er·al, adjective, noun
- an·ti·lib·er·al·ness, noun
- half-lib·er·al, adjective
- non·lib·er·al, adjective
- o·ver·lib·er·al, adjective
- pre·lib·er·al, adjective, noun
- pseu·do·lib·er·al, adjective, noun
- qua·si-lib·er·al, adjective
- sem·i·lib·er·al, adjective, noun
- un·lib·er·al, adjective
Other definitions for Liberal (2 of 2)
a city in SW Kansas.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use liberal in a sentence
The anti-liberal bias group spent $350,000 last year on a house—bought from its own vice president.
Indeed, strictly speaking, these trends are illiberal and anti-liberal.
We can in no way lend our hand to an anti-liberal restoration.
The Recollections of Alexis de Tocqueville | Alexis De TocquevilleIt was a great accident that threw me into the anti-liberal attitude, but having taken it up I held to it with energy.
The Life of William Ewart Gladstone, Vol. 1 (of 3) | John MorleyIn his political principles and opinions he was anti-liberal, and latterly an alarmist as well as a Conservative.
The Greville Memoirs (Second Part) | Charles C. F. Greville
Is it a la mode for the moment to be liberal or anti-liberal?
The Parisians, Complete | Edward Bulwer-Lytton
British Dictionary definitions for liberal (1 of 2)
/ (ˈlɪbərəl, ˈlɪbrəl) /
relating to or having social and political views that favour progress and reform
relating to or having policies or views advocating individual freedom
giving and generous in temperament or behaviour
tolerant of other people
abundant; lavish: a liberal helping of cream
not strict; free: a liberal translation
of or relating to an education that aims to develop general cultural interests and intellectual ability
a person who has liberal ideas or opinions
Origin of liberal
1Derived forms of liberal
- liberally, adverb
- liberalness, noun
British Dictionary definitions for Liberal (2 of 2)
/ (ˈlɪbərəl, ˈlɪbrəl) /
a member or supporter of a Liberal Party or Liberal Democrat party
of or relating to a Liberal Party
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for liberal
A descriptive term for persons, policies, and beliefs associated with liberalism.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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