freedom
Pluralfreedoms
- 1The absence of a particular constraint, or of constraints in general; a condition of being unconstrained.
Quitting the corporate job brought him the freedom to paint full-time.
Constitutions often list the freedoms that governments may not take away.
UsageUsually freedom to do something or freedom from something: the freedom to paint full-time, freedom from fear.
Similarliberty, latitude, leeway, scope, right
Oppositeconstraint, restriction, restraint, limitation
- 2The right or privilege of unrestricted use of, or access to, something.
The residency gave the artist the freedom of the studio at any hour.
Guests were granted the freedom of the estate's gardens during their stay.
UsageUsually the freedom of a place, often after give or grant: gave him the freedom of the house.
Similarrun, access, use, privilege
Note
A civic right with a long paper trail, best known in the phrase the freedom of the city. Gibbon's Decline and Fall (1776) has Roman princes diffusing it "with a prudent liberality." The History, Gazetteer, and Directory, of Norfolk (1854) explains that it could be acquired by birth or servitude, and was formerly also gained by gift or purchase.
Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 5 facts
- Edward Gibbon wrote The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. wellcomecollection.org
- The first volume was first published in 1776. collections.soane.org
- Gibbon describes Roman princes diffusing the freedom of the city using the quoted wording. gutenberg.org
- Francis White's Norfolk directory was published in 1854. doc.ukdataservice.ac.uk
- The directory describes acquisition by birth or servitude and former admission by gift or purchase. en.wiktionary.org
- 3Frankness and openness; the quality of being unreserved in speech or manner.
He addressed the elders with a freedom few others would have dared.
There was an easy freedom in his manner that put strangers at ease.
Similarfrankness, openness, candor, directness, ease
Oppositereserve, restraint, reticence, stiffness
Note
Plain speaking is the freedom meant here: saying what you think without guarding it. Samuel Richardson's Clarissa (1747–48) shows its edge, with a letter-writer expecting the reader to "take amiss my freedom." Frankness slides easily into improper familiarity, and only context tells them apart. Frankness is candor offered, while familiarity is a liberty taken.
Less common meaning
- 4Improper familiarity; behavior that violates the accepted rules of decorum.
Practice
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Origin
From Middle English "freedom," from Old English "frēodōm" (freedom, free will, emancipation, deliverance), from Proto-West Germanic "*frijadōm." It is equivalent to "free" plus "-dom," with cognates such as Dutch "vrijdom" and Norwegian "fridom."
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 4 facts
- Freedom descends through Middle English freedom and Old English frēodōm from reconstructed Proto-West Germanic *frijadōm; the Old English meanings include those listed. en.wiktionary.org
- The word is equivalent to free plus -dom. en.wiktionary.org
- Dutch vrijdom is cognate with English freedom. en.wiktionary.org
- Norwegian fridom is cognate with English freedom. en.wiktionary.org