# freely

Pronunciation: say "FREE-lee" US /ˈfɹili/, UK /ˈfɹiːli/

## Adverb

1. Without anyone interfering or placing limits on what someone does.
   - Simple: In a way that is not stopped or limited by anyone.
   - _Citizens may now move freely across the border without permits._
   - _Information flows freely on the open internet._
2. As a matter of one's own choice, rather than under compulsion.
   - Simple: Because you choose to, not because someone makes you.
   - _He freely chose to stay behind and help the others clean up._
   - _She freely confessed to the prank before anyone could accuse her._
3. In a manner marked by freedom of movement or expression.
   - Simple: In a way that moves or flows easily, without being held back.
   - _The conversation moved freely from one topic to the next._
   - _Blood circulated freely through the limb once the bandage was loosened._

## Adjective

4. Open and frank in manner, not holding anything back.
   - Simple: Free and open, not holding back what one thinks or feels.

## Adjective

5. Generous and noble, or excellent, beautiful, and lovely. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: Kind and giving, noble, very good, or beautiful and lovely.

## Origin

**Meanings 4–5** — From Middle English frely, from Old English frēolīc ("free, freeborn, noble, beautiful"), equivalent to "free" plus "-ly." It is related to Middle Low German vrilik and Middle High German vrīlich, both meaning "free."
**Meanings 1–3** — From Middle English frely, from Old English frēolīċe ("freely, readily, as a festival"), equivalent to "free" plus "-ly." It is related to Dutch vrijelijk ("freely") and German freilich ("certainly, of course").

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/freely (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).