LIBERAL | English Meaning, Definition, and Pronunciation

Middle English: via Old French from Latin liberalis, from liber ‘free (man)’. The original sense was ‘suitable for a free man’, hence ‘suitable for a gentleman’ (one not tied to a trade), surviving in liberal arts. Another early sense ‘generous’ (compare with liberal (sense 4 of the adjective)) gave rise to an obsolete meaning ‘free from restraint’, leading to liberal (sense 1 of the adjective) (late 18th century)

willing to respect or accept behaviour or opinions different from one's own; open to new ideas

respectful of different behaviour or opinions

• they have liberal views on divorce

relating to or denoting a political and social philosophy that promotes individual rights, civil liberties, democracy, and free enterprise

favourable to individual rights

• a liberal democratic state

relating to a Liberal party or (in the UK) the Liberal Democrat Party

relating to Liberals or Liberal Party

• the Liberal leader

given, used, or occurring in generous amounts

given or used in generous amounts

• liberal amounts of wine had been consumed

(of education) concerned with broadening a person's general knowledge and experience, rather than with technical or professional training

concerned with broadening general knowledge

• the provision of liberal adult education

(especially of an interpretation of a law) broadly construed or understood; not strictly literal or exact

not strictly literal

• they could have given the 1968 Act a more liberal interpretation

a supporter of policies that are socially progressive and promote social welfare

person of liberal views

• are we dealing with a polarization between liberals and conservatives?

a supporter of a political and social philosophy that promotes individual rights, civil liberties, democracy, and free enterprise

supporter of political philosophy promoting individual rights and civil liberties

• classical liberals emphasized the right of the individual to make decisions, even if the results dismayed their neighbours or injured themselves

a supporter or member of a Liberal party or (in the UK) the Liberal Democrat Party

member of Liberal Party

• the Liberals are looking to defend a seat in Tuebrook and Stoneycroft