free (freer comparative) (freest superlative) (frees 3rd person present) (freeing present participle) (freed past tense & past participle )
1 adj If something is free, you can have it or use it without paying for it.
The seminars are free, with lunch provided., ...a free brochure with details of gift vouchers.
→
free of charge
→
charge
2 adj Someone or something that is free is not restricted, controlled, or limited, for example by rules, customs, or other people.
oft ADJ to-inf
The government will be free to pursue its economic policies..., The elections were free and fair..., Economists argued that freer markets would quickly revive the region's economy..., He fears that until state subsidies are removed, Russia will never have a truly free press..., Dogs were allowed to roam free and 48 sheep were killed.
freely adv ADV with v
They cast their votes freely and without coercion on election day..., Merchandise can now circulate freely among the EU countries.
3 verb If you free someone of something that is unpleasant or restricting, you remove it from them.
The 30-year-old star is trying to free himself from his recording contract. V n of/from n
4 adj Someone who is free is no longer a prisoner or a slave.
ADJ n, v-link ADJ, ADJ after v
More than ninety prisoners have been set free so far under a government amnesty.
5 verb To free a prisoner or a slave means to let them go or release them from prison.
Israel is set to free more Lebanese prisoners... V n
The act had a specific intent, to protect freed slaves from white mobs. V-ed
6 adj If someone or something is free of or free from an unpleasant thing, they do not have it or they are not affected by it.
v-link ADJ of/from n
...a future far more free of fear..., The filtration system provides the crew with clean air free from fumes.
7 adj A sum of money or type of goods that is free of tax or duty is one that you do not have to pay tax on.
v-link ADJ of n
→
duty-free
→
interest-free
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tax-free
8 verb To free someone or something means to make them available for a task or function that they were previously not available for.
Toolbelts free both hands and lessen the risk of dropping hammers... V n
His deal with Disney will run out shortly, freeing him to pursue his own project... V n to-inf
There were more civilians working for the police, freeing officers from desk jobs. V n from/of/for n
Free up means the same as free., phrasal verb
It can handle even the most complex graphic jobs, freeing up your computer for other tasks. V P n (not pron), Also V n P
9 adj If you have a free period of time or are free at a particular time, you are not working or occupied then.
She spent her free time shopping..., I am always free at lunchtime.
10 adj If something such as a table or seat is free, it is not being used or occupied by anyone, or is not reserved for anyone to use.
There was only one seat free on the train...
11 adj If you get something free or if it gets free, it is no longer trapped by anything or attached to anything.
v n ADJ, v-link ADJ, oft ADJ of n
He pulled his arm free, and strode for the door..., The shark was writhing around wildly, trying to get free.
12 verb If you free someone or something, you remove them from the place in which they have been trapped or become fixed.
It took firemen two hours to cut through the drive belt to free him... V n
13 adj When someone is using one hand or arm to hold or move something, their other hand or arm is referred to as their free one.
ADJ n
He snatched up the receiver and his free hand groped for the switch on the bedside lamp...
14 adj If you say that someone is free with something such as advice or money, you mean that they give a lot of it, sometimes when it is not wanted.
v-link ADJ with n (disapproval)
They weren't always so free with their advice..., They would often be free with criticism, some of it unjustified.
15 You say `feel free' when you want to give someone permission to do something, in a very willing way.
INFORMAL
feel free phrase oft PHR to-inf (formulae)
If you have any questions at all, please feel free to ask me.
16 If you do something or get something for free , you do it without being paid or get it without having to pay for it.
INFORMAL
for free phrase PHR after v
I wasn't expecting you to do it for free...
17
→
to give someone a free hand
→
hand free up
2 phrasal verb To free up a market, economy, or system means to make it operate with fewer restrictions and controls.
...policies for freeing up markets and extending competition. V P n (not pron), Also V n P
