Definition Definition

liberal - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'liberal' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Liberal [ a.]
- Free by birth; hence, befitting a freeman or gentleman; refined; noble; independent; free; not servile or mean; as, a liberal ancestry; a liberal spirit; liberal arts or studies.
- Bestowing in a large and noble way, as a freeman; generous; bounteous; open-handed; as, a liberal giver.
- Bestowed in a large way; hence, more than sufficient; abundant; bountiful; ample; profuse; as, a liberal gift; a liberal discharge of matter or of water.
- Not strict or rigorous; not confined or restricted to the literal sense; free; as, a liberal translation of a classic, or a liberal construction of law or of language.
- Not narrow or contracted in mind; not selfish; enlarged in spirit; catholic.
- Free to excess; regardless of law or moral restraint; licentious.
- Not bound by orthodox tenets or established forms in political or religious philosophy; independent in opinion; not conservative; friendly to great freedom in the constitution or administration of government; having tendency toward democratic or republican, as distinguished from monarchical or aristocratic, forms; as, liberal thinkers; liberal Christians; the Liberal party.
2 . Liberal [ n.]
- One who favors greater freedom in political or religious matters; an opponent of the established systems; a reformer; in English politics, a member of the Liberal party, so called. Cf. Whig.

Meaning of 'liberal' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . liberal [ s]
Meaning (1):
- showing or characterized by broad-mindedness
Example in sentence:
  • a broad political stance;
  • a liberal newspaper;
  • generous and broad sympathies;
  • tolerant of his opponent's opinions
Meaning (2):
- not literal
Example in sentence:
  • a free translation of the poem;
  • a loose interpretation of what she had been told
Meaning (3):
- given or giving freely
Example in sentence:
  • a freehanded host;
  • a handsome allowance;
  • a liberal backer of the arts;
  • a munificent gift;
  • bountiful compliments;
  • her fond and openhanded grandfather;
  • Saturday's child is loving and giving;
  • the bounteous goodness of God;
  • was a big tipper