Beelingo.com

English Dictionary

  • Hide translation

 liberal liberal /ˈlɪˌbɝːəl/

adjective

  1. () Showing or characterized by broad-mindedness  ( broad , large-minded , tolerant , liberal )
    showing or characterized by broad-mindedness
     A broad political stance
    a broad political stance
     Generous and broad sympathies
    generous and broad sympathies
     A liberal newspaper
    a liberal newspaper
     Tolerant of his opponent's opinions
    tolerant of his opponent's opinions
  2. () Having political or social views favoring reform and progress  ( liberal )
    having political or social views favoring reform and progress
      She held liberal views on social issues.
    She held liberal views on social issues.
  3. () Tolerant of change; not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or tradition  ( liberal )
    tolerant of change; not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or tradition
  4. () Given or giving freely  ( big , bighearted , bounteous , bountiful , freehanded , giving , handsome , liberal , openhanded )
    given or giving freely
     Was a big tipper
    was a big tipper
     The bounteous goodness of God
    the bounteous goodness of God
     Bountiful compliments
    bountiful compliments
     A freehanded host
    a freehanded host
     A handsome allowance
    a handsome allowance
     Saturday's child is loving and giving
    Saturday's child is loving and giving
     A liberal backer of the arts
    a liberal backer of the arts
     A munificent gift
    a munificent gift
     Her fond and openhanded grandfather
    her fond and openhanded grandfather
  5. Not literal  ( free , liberal , loose )
    not literal
     A loose interpretation of what she had been told
    a loose interpretation of what she had been told
     A free translation of the poem
    a free translation of the poem

noun

  1. () A person who favors a political philosophy of progress and reform and the protection of civil liberties  ( liberalist , progressive , liberal )
    a person who favors a political philosophy of progress and reform and the protection of civil liberties
      The liberal politician advocated for progressive social policies and equal rights.
    The liberal politician advocated for progressive social policies and equal rights.
  2. () A person who favors an economic theory of laissez-faire and self-regulating markets  ( liberal )
    a person who favors an economic theory of laissez-faire and self-regulating markets
     As a liberal, she believes in progressive reforms for the betterment of society.
    As a liberal, she believes in progressive reforms for the betterment of society.