free

adjective, verb, adverb adjective (freer ) not controlled 1 ~ (to do sth) not under the control or in the power of sb else; able to do what you want: I have no ambitions other than to have a happy life and be free. * Students have a free choice of courses in their final year. * You are free to come and go as you please. * (spoken) 'Can I use the phone?' 'Please, feel free (= of course you can use it).' 2 not restricted or controlled by anyone else; able to do or say what you want: A true democracy complete with free speech and a free press was called for. * the country's first free election * They gave me free access to all the files. not prisoner 3 (of a person) not a prisoner or slave: He walked out of jail a free man. animal / bird 4 not tied up or in a cage: The researchers set the birds free. no payment 5 costing nothing: Admission is free. * free samples / tickets / advice * We're offering a fabulous free gift with each copy you buy. * You can't expect people to work for free (= without payment). not blocked 6 clear; not blocked: Ensure there is a free flow of air around the machine. without sth 7 ~ from / of sth not containing or affected by sth harmful or unpleasant: free from difficulty / doubt / fear * free from artificial colours and flavourings * It was several weeks before he was completely free of pain. 8 (-free) (in adjectives) without the thing mentioned: virtually fat-free yoghurt * tax-free earnings * a trouble-free life not attached / trapped 9 ~ (of sth) not attached to sth or trapped by sth: Pull gently on the free end of the rope. * They had to be cut free from their car after the accident. * She finally managed to pull herself free. not being used 10 not being used: He held out his free hand and I took it. * Is this seat free? not busy 11 ~ (for sth) (of a person or time) without particular plans or arrangements; not busy: If Sarah is free for lunch I'll take her out. * Keep Friday night free for my party. * What do you like to do in your free time (= when you are not working)? ready to give 12 ~ with sth (often disapproving) ready to give sth, especially when it is not wanted: He's too free with his opinions. translation 13 a free TRANSLATION is not exact but gives the general meaning compareLITERAL IDIOMS free and easy informal; relaxed: Life was never going to be so free and easy again. get, have, etc. a free hand to get, have, etc. the opportunity to do what you want to do and to make your own decisions: I was given a free hand in designing the syllabus. get, take, etc. a free ride to get or take sth without paying because sb else is paying for it it's a free country (spoken) used as a reply when sb suggests that you should not do sth: It's a free country; I'll say what I like! there's no such thing as a free lunch (spoken) used to say that it is not possible to get sth for nothing moreatHOMEadv., REINn.