5 → see also free
free|man /friː mən/ (freemen ) N‑COUNT Someone who is a freeman of a particular city has been given a special honour by that city, known as the freedom of the city. □ [+ of ] Peter was made a Freeman of the City of London.
free ma r|ket (free markets ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A free market is an economic system in which business organizations decide things such as prices and wages, and are not controlled by the government. [BUSINESS ] □ …the creation of a free market. □ …free market economies.
free -marketee r (free-marketeers ) N‑COUNT A free-marketeer is someone, especially a politician, who thinks market forces should control the economy. [BUSINESS ]
Free|mason /friː me I s ə n/ (Freemasons ) N‑COUNT A Freemason is a man who is a member of a large secret society. Freemasons promise to help each other, and use a system of secret signs in order to recognize each other.
free|masonry /friː me I s ə nri/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Freemasonry is the organization of the Freemasons and their beliefs and practices. □ He was very active in Freemasonry.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] Freemasonry is the friendly feeling that exists between people who are of the same kind or who have the same interests. □ …the freemasonry of sailors.
free pa ss (free passes ) N‑COUNT A free pass is an official document that allows a person to travel or to enter a particular building without having to pay.
free|phone /friː foʊn/ → see Freefone
free port (free ports ) N‑COUNT A free port is a port or airport where goods can be brought in from foreign countries without payment of duty if they are going to be exported again. [BUSINESS ]
Free|post /friː poʊst/ N‑UNCOUNT Freepost is a system in Britain which allows you to send mail to certain organizations without paying for the postage. 'Freepost' is written on the envelope as part of the address. [TRADEMARK ]
freer /friː ə r / Freer is the comparative of free .
free ra di|cal (free radicals ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Free radicals are atoms that contain one or more unpaired electrons. Free radicals are believed to be a cause of ageing, heart disease, and some cancers. [TECHNICAL ]
free -ra nge ADJ [usu ADJ n] Free-range means relating to a system of keeping animals in which they can move and feed freely on an area of open ground. □ …free-range eggs.
free ru n|ning N‑UNCOUNT Free running is the activity of running through areas in a town, using skilful movements to jump over walls and other objects. □ He is part of a free running group in London.
free|sia /friː ʒə/ (freesias ) N‑VAR Freesias are small plants with yellow, pink, white, or purple flowers that are shaped like tubes.
free spi r|it (free spirits ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a free spirit , you admire them because they are independent and live as they want to live rather than in a conventional way. [APPROVAL ]
fre|est /friː I st/ Freest is the superlative of free .
free -sta nding ADJ A free-standing piece of furniture or other object is not fixed to anything, or stands on its own away from other things. □ …a free-standing cooker.
free|style /friː sta I l/ ADJ [ADJ n] Freestyle is used to describe sports competitions, especially in swimming, wrestling, and skiing, in which competitors can use any style or method that they like when they take part. □ …the 100m freestyle swimming event. □ …the reigning European Freestyle Champion. □ …freestyle skiing. ● N‑SING Freestyle is also a noun. □ She won the 800 metres freestyle.
free -thi nker (free-thinkers ) N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a free-thinker , you admire them because they work out their own ideas rather than accepting generally accepted views. [APPROVAL ]
free -to-ai r ADJ [usu ADJ n] Free-to-air television programmes and channels do not require a subscription or payment. ● ADV Free to air is also an adverb. □ The fight will be televised free to air on the Fox Network.
Free|view /friː vjuː/ N‑UNCOUNT In Britain, Freeview is a free service providing digital terrestrial television. [TRADEMARK ] □ Freeview uses a standard aerial to receive the signal, so the service has the potential to reach virtually every home in the UK.
free|ware /fri ːweə r / N‑UNCOUNT Freeware is computer software that you can use without payment. [COMPUTING ] □ Is there a freeware program that I can use to produce my own graphics?
free|way /friː we I / (freeways ) N‑COUNT A freeway is a major road with several lanes that has been specially built for fast travel over long distances. [AM ] □ The speed limit on the freeway is 55mph. □ …Boston's freeway system. in BRIT, usually use motorway
free|wheel /friː h wiː l/ (freewheels , freewheeling , freewheeled ) also free-wheel VERB If you freewheel , you travel, usually downhill, on a bicycle without using the pedals, or in a vehicle without using the engine. □ [V adv/prep] He freewheeled back down the course. [Also V ]
free|wheeling /friː h wiː l I ŋ/ also free-wheeling ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you refer to someone's freewheeling lifestyle or attitudes, you mean that they behave in a casual, relaxed way without feeling restricted by rules or accepted ways of doing things. □ He has given up his freewheeling lifestyle to settle down with his baby daughter.
free wi ll
1 N‑UNCOUNT If you believe in free will , you believe that people have a choice in what they do and that their actions have not been decided in advance by God or by any other power. □ …the free will of the individual.
2 PHRASE If you do something of your own free will , you do it by choice and not because you are forced to do it. □ Would Bethany return of her own free will, as she had promised?