liberal

adjective, noun

respecting other opinions 1 willing to understand and respect other people's behaviour, opinions, etc., especially when they are different from your own; believing people should be able to choose how they behave: liberal attitudes towards religion / sex * Her parents are very liberal and allow her a lot of freedom. * liberal views / opinions politics 2 wanting or allowing a lot of political and economic freedom and supporting gradual social, political or religious change: Some politicians want more liberal trade relations with Europe. * the spread of liberal democracy following the Cold War * liberal theories / reform * a liberal politician / policy 3 (Liberal) connected with the British Liberal Party in the past, or of a Liberal Party in another country generous 4 ~ (with sth) generous; given in large amounts: She is very liberal with her money. * I think Sam is too liberal with his criticism (= he criticizes people too much). * Divorced fathers should have liberal access to their children. * We ate cake with liberal amounts of whipped cream. education 5 concerned with increasing sb's general knowledge and experience rather than particular skills: liberal arts * a liberal education not exact 6 not completely accurate or exact SYNFREE: a liberal translation of the text * a liberal interpretation of history / the law liberally adverb: Apply the cream liberally. * The word 'original' is liberally interpreted in copyright law.

sb who respects others 1 a person who understands and respects other people's opinions and behaviour, especially when they are different from their own: He liked to think of himself as a liberal. politics 2 a person who supports political, social and religious change: Reform is popular with middle-class liberals. 3 (Liberal) (politics) a member of the British Liberal Party in the past, or of a Liberal Party in another country